Columbus Statue Toppled At Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday

SAINT PAUL, MN — Demonstrators celebrated Wednesday afternoon after they successfully toppled the statue of Christopher Columbus on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol.

The statue quickly fell after protesters lassoed it with rope, as video from National reporter Joyce Karam shows. Minnesota Reformer reporter Max Nesterak also captured the scene on video.

According to state historians, the 10-foot tall bronze sculpture of Columbus was dedicated on Oct. 12, 1931. It was sculpted by Carlo Brioschi and presented as a gift from Minnesota's Italian-Americans.