ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan[R] issued a statement criticizing the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi[D-Calif.] for not condemning protesters who toppled a statue of Christopher Columbus in the Little Italy neighborhood of Baltimore on Independence Day.

Pelosi, an Italian-American and Baltimore-native whose family has served various political positions in the City, said during a press conference on July 9 that “it is up to the communities to decide what statues they want to see.”

 

 


Hogan fired back shortly after on Twitter, issuing an official statement to criticize how Pelosi has “lost touch with Baltimore,” and how “there is no place in Maryland for lawlessness.”

 

 


The statue of the Italian explorer, which graced the streets of the Little Italy stretch for over 30 years, was brought down and thrown into the Inner Harbor one week ago. The debate has sparked opinions from several politicians and activists nationwide who have been fighting to bring down Confederate statues and monuments across the country.

 

 

Baltimore politicians appear to still be divided over the issue of whether Columbus should be deemed a controversial figure.

Maryland House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga[R-Baltimore and Harford] issued a statement after the statue was brought down, blaming the city’s police and political leadership for letting it happen.

“Apparently, this mob justice is exactly what Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young endorses. Mayor Young wants the City to serve as a ‘national model,’ especially with protesting,” Szeliga said. “The approval or silence by Baltimore City leaders sends a message to law-abiding citizens, businesses, future visitors, and tourists. The ‘c’ has worn off of Charm City, now we can just hope for no more harm.”

However, this contrasts the message that many Democrats have promoted through the city. Ryan Dorsey, a Baltimore City Councilman who was also recently criticized by Gov. Hogan, introduced legislation back on June 22 proposing a rededication of the monument to the “Police Violence Victims Monument.”

 

 

Contact Zach at zach.hill@thebaynet.com