Columbus statue in RI defaced on holiday

[October 13, 2010]  PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence, R.I., was doused in red paint and a sign reading "murderer" was hung around its waist over the Columbus Day holiday.

WJAR-TV reports the vandalism was discovered Monday morning.

The statue of a standing and pointing Columbus sits at a busy intersection in the capital city.

Police say they are investigating it as vandalism.

A representative of the Sons of Italy tells WPRO-AM that he would like the vandalism to be investigated as a hate crime against Italians.

[Associated Press]

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