STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As much as any other issue, such as transportation, cost of living, and affordable housing, debates over the remaining Christopher Columbus statues in the city are a sticking point for the mayoral candidates.

While Mayor Eric Adams has dropped out of the race, he has announced his desire to landmark two of the Italian explorer’s monuments at Columbus Circle in Manhattan and Astoria’s Columbus Square. The action was likely sparked by Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani’s X post in June 2020 showing himself flipping off the Columbus statue in Astoria, with the caption: “Take it down.”

However, Mamdani has not made any public statements about removing the monuments should be he become mayor. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Ada

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