The Christopher Columbus Statue at Columbus State Community College was vandalized overnight Wednesday.

Paint covered the statue on all sides with some messages painted on the ground.

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College leaders announced Tuesday that the statue will be removed.

“The removal of the Christopher Columbus statue is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to our College and in our community to continue and accelerate the fight against systemic racism,” said Columbus State President David Harrison.

The statue is set to be removed within the next two weeks, per Harrison. A group has been formed to determine what art piece will replace the Columbus statue.

Cleanup of the paint was underway around 8 a.m. Wednesday.

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