Christopher Columbus statue in Houston covered in tomato sauce

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For the third time in a week, the statue of Christopher Columbus has been vandalized.

The statue, which is located in Bell Park along Montrose Boulevard, was splattered with tomato sauce.

It was commissioned by the Italian American Organizations of Greater Houston Inc. and donated in 1992.

Last Thursday, vandals splashed red paint all over the statue, while attaching a cardboard sign with the message, "Rip the head from your oppressor."

By Friday, one of the hands was chopped off.

Critics have said Columbus should not be viewed as someone who 'discovered' America, but as a foreign conqueror who enslaved natives.

Leslie Lopez shares the outpouring of support she's received from viewers after the very real moment: "I've been getting comments, 'Just more baby in weather, please!'"

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