The case is nowhere near concluded, as ISDA attorneys point to Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter.

PITTSBURGH, Penn. (Oct. 5, 2022) — Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) and its legal team, led by George Bochetto, Esq., strongly believe that Common Pleas Judge John McVay Jr. erred in his ruling.

The Court ruled that the ISDA may not infringe on the City’s right to free speech, but the problem is: that was not the issue before the Court. Our Complaint raises the issue that the Mayor does not have the power to unilaterally override a duly enacted ordinance and change the City’s landscape, all without approval from the Pittsburgh City Council.

“The Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter is clear that some rule-making authority is reserved for City Council, and the Mayor must comply with those rules once enacted. In this case, the City Council passed a binding ordinance to keep the Columbus Statue in Schenley Park. Unless and until that ordinance is repealed, the Mayor must comply with it,” said Bochetto.

Based on the Court’s ruling, the Mayor can put up or take down any statue he wants on any City-owned property without regard for the other branches of the city government. Obviously, this cannot be correct. The ISDA has filed an appeal to challenge the Court’s ruling.

The ISDA has also appealed the judge’s denial of our Motion for Recusal. The ISDA had requested that the Judge remove himself from handling this case because of the biased and false recitations of history he made concerning Christopher Columbus in his Order of October 30, 2020. The Judge’s refusal to do so also constitutes grounds for a reversal.

“We adamantly disagree with the Judge’s ruling,” said ISDA National President Basil M. Russo. “We believe that Judge McVay clearly misinterpreted the law. We fully expect we will receive a favorable ruling from the appellate court. The Columbus statue in Schenley Park is symbolic of the Italian immigrants’ contributions to the growth and success of the City of Pittsburgh, and we will not give up our fight to preserve that history.”

 

ABOUT ISDA

Tradition, history, family, and philanthropy have defined Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) since 1930. Our old school brick lodges dotted across the U.S., and our 21^st-century digital platforms, bring together and reach millions of people every year, as we celebrate, preserve, and promote the Italian American experience. Learn more.