The bronze statue dedicated to the famous explorer was dismantled on Wednesday, a week after the city’s Parks Department voted to do so. It had stood in Wooster Square Park since 1955, when it replaced the original monument dedicated in 1892.

Dozens of people had gathered in the park since early morning, including both the protesters demanding the statue’s removal and local residents determined to stop it from happening. There were reports of scuffles between the two groups.

Mayor Justin Elicker said the decision was spearheaded by New Haven’s Italian-American community, which “did the right thing,” and thanked them for “recognizing the history of colonialism and its negative effects on many cultures.”

“It is disappointing that some at the protest incited fighting. New Haven has a long history of lively dialogue, but violence has no place in our city,” Elicker added.