An Italian American group filed a petition in court Sunday to thwart the city of Syracuse’s planned removal of its Christopher Columbus statue, claiming the move is illegal under local law. The petition — filed in Onondaga state Supreme Court by 29 petitioners including the Syracuse-based Columbus Monument Corporation, former Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro against the city and Mayor Ben Walsh — seeks to prohibit the sculpture’s takedown and renovation plans for St. Mary’s Square, the area where it stands. 

“This petition seeks relief … to prohibit the City of Syracuse from altering or removing the Christopher Columbus Monument at Columbus Circle,” the filing reads. “The petition also asks for judgment declaring the City without legal authority to alter or remove the Christopher Columbus Monument and that the threatened actions of the Mayor constitute a breach of Trust under the City Charter.