Christopher Columbus' head just barely peeks over a segment of black corrugated pipe. The eight-foot statue has served as a symbol of the City of Poughkeepsie's Italian Center since it was erected in 1992. But as of Friday, the Italian Center has covered the bronze monument.

The change comes amid a renewed nationwide push protesting monuments erected in honor of figures tied to incidents of oppression in the county’s history. But while Italian Center leadership is removing the statue from its familiar spot along Mill Street, they say plans are in place to display it again after the center moves to its new headquarters.