Columbus Statue Covered by Juneteenth Flag During Annual Flag Raising Ceremony
The face of the slave owner was temporarily obstructed during Saturday’s morning festivities in Binghamton.
BINGHAMTON —While unsuspecting residents participated in the annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony in downtown Binghamton on Saturday, an unidentified person or persons tied a Juneteenth flag snuggly over the head of the Christopher Columbus statue on nearby Collier Street.
After noticing the modification, several participants at the flag raising ceremony marched to the statue to continue their celebration.
The landmark is no stranger to controversy. In 2019, the statue was artfully defaced with spray paint. In 2020, the statue was spray painted again. Additionally, residents are regularly seen urinating on the statue throughout the Spring and Summer months.
The Juneteenth flag raising ceremony went off as expected, despite city officials locking the flag pole to prevent residents from raising their own Juneteenth flag.
If you have any information on who is responsible for improving the Columbus statue, please call 1-888-447-5594.
This story is developing.
