A coalition of Italian-American groups are trying to thwart Mayor de Blasio’s bid to alter the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle by asking a city commission landmark it. Last month, Hizzoner said the statue would soon be joined by historical markers that tell the fuller story of the explorer, warts and all.

But that plan doesn’t sit well with members of the Italian-American community, who revere the explorer as a cultural icon. “We’re not in favor of someone else deciding what Columbus is about and what value he had,” said Angelo Vivolo, head of the coalition. “We’re totally against that and wanted to do whatever is in our power to prevent that.”