PHILADELPHIA - A judge ruled Tuesday that the controversial Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza in South Philadelphia can stay.According to the judge, the city's argument and case is devoid of any legal foundation."It is baffling to this court as to how the City of Philadelphia wants to remove the Statue without any legal basis.
The City’s entire argument and case is devoid of any legal foundation," Judge Paula Patrick wrote.In June 2020, the statue became the point of contention between groups who wanted to defend it from vandalism amid ongoing social unrest, and other groups who saw the statue as a symbol of hate.