A century-old statue of Christopher Columbus that was defaced and tossed into a lake during protests in Virginia four years ago is now standing tall in New York City’s suburbs. The 1-ton likeness of the Italian explorer was moved to Rockland County after it was salvaged by the Sons of Italy in the Rockland town of Blauvelt, and the stately cleaned-up monument was unveiled there Sunday. 

“The statue represents Italian heritage and culture and everything that we’re proud of,” said Michael Pizzi of the Order of the Sons of Italy Lodge No.2176 at the unveiling. Fellow order member Paul Borghese told News12 the move was meant to pay homage to history.