Following the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue from its pedestal in Baltimore’s harbor on July 4, 2020, several alternative memorial ideas were explored by the Italian American Organizations United. The group raised over $200,000 to fund a new tribute, ultimately deciding on the Anonymous Italian American Family Memorial.
This memorial will honor the legacy of Italian immigrants who contributed to the creation of Baltimore’s Little Italy. The chosen design features a husband, wife, and infant child, symbolizing the hopes and sacrifices of immigrant families. The memorial will be located at South President Street and Eastern Avenue, the former site of the Columbus statue.
More than 60 attendees gathered on Wednesday to learn about the memorial, which is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The Columbus statue, dedicated in 1984, was destroyed amidst nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd. The Italian American community opted against replacing it with another Columbus statue, instead choosing to honor the immigrant experience.
John Pica, president of the Italian American Organizations Limited, noted that the memorial’s design will be crafted from Italian Carrara marble, sourced from a quarry in Italy. The sculptor, Sebastian Martorana, plans to create a seven-foot tall piece that reflects the attire of immigrants from 1880 to 1920. The figures will be positioned to face Little Italy, serving as a reminder of the contributions of Italian Americans to the city.
In addition to the main sculpture, three plaques will be installed nearby to acknowledge various ethnic groups that historically inhabited the area, as well as notable figures from the D’Alesandro family.
Security measures are being planned to protect the new memorial, in light of the events surrounding the Columbus statue's removal. Pica emphasized that the new installation will be securely mounted and monitored by surveillance cameras to prevent vandalism.
As the Italian American community moves forward with this project, they remain committed to preserving the history and contributions of Italian immigrants in Baltimore.
Reported by HarborBeat based on Baltimore Fishbowl (source).
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