Columbus monument group sues Syracuse, says Walsh doesn’t have authority to remove statue Updated 8:40 AM; Today 8:09 AM Former county executive Nick Pirro stands in front of the Columbus statue in downtown Syracuse. Pirro is part of a group opposed to Mayor Ben Walsh's plan to remove the statue. Facebook Share Syracuse, N.Y. — The Columbus Monument Corporation sued the city of Syracuse over the weekend in its latest effort to block the planned removal of the Columbus statue downtown. The group filed a petition in state Supreme Court on Sunday, claiming Mayor Ben Walsh does not have the legal authority to remove the statue.