A Philadelphia, PA judge ruled that a Christopher Columbus statue may remain in place after city officials pushed to have it removed. Judge Paula Patrick said that the push to remove the statue had no legal basis and lacked sufficient evidence.

According to reports from The Washington Examiner:

“It is baffling to this court as to how the City of Philadelphia wants to remove the Statue without any legal basis,” she wrote in her decision. “The city’s entire argument and case is devoid of any legal foundation.”

The city’s Board of License and Inspection Review had initially upheld a July 2020 decision by the Philadelphia Historical Commission to remove the statue.

However, the city did not provide an adequate opportunity for the public to weigh in on the statue’s future, Patrick said.

“While we are very disappointed with the ruling, we’re reviewing it now and exploring all potential options — including a possible appeal,” said a spokesperson for Mayor Jim Kenney. “The statue remains in Marconi Plaza and will continue to be secured in its existing box.”