Monday is Columbus Day a day of celebration for Italian-Americans. But this year is different than usual. There is a debate in the city over Christopher Columbus and whether he should be revered or denounced. In addition, it's putting the mayor in a tough spot. Our Grace Rauh joins us now with more.

Mayor de Blasio is a proud Italian-American.

He is marching in the Columbus Day Parade on Monday. And he visited his grandparents' home-towns in Italy as Mayor, to much fanfare.

But his Italian pride has been questioned lately, ever since he created a commission to examine "symbols of hate" around the city. The group is meeting Tuesday for the first time — and may be debating the fate of statues like this one for Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle. The mayor has refused to say whether he thinks it should come down.

"I don't think it makes sense for me to opine on issue by issue," de Blasio said.

Critics of the Italian explorer say Columbus's slaughter and abuse of Native Americans means statues like this should come down.

"He murdered thousands of millions of Native Americans so knock it down for all I care," said one critic.

The statue in Columbus Circle now has police protection to keep vandals at bay.

At a reception celebrating Italian Heritage on Thursday night at Gracie Mansion the mayor did not address the controversy over Columbus. Or the fact that some Italian-American community leaders boycotted the event this year, over the mayor's commission.

"The Italian culture, the Italian nature of New York City is so strong," the mayor said.

Italy's Ambassador to the U-S was there and praised Columbus.

"I think that Italian Americans and Americans should all be proud of this great sailor," said Armando Varricchio. "What he did was a great contribution to the peace of the world. Connecting two sides of the world."

Some cities have done away with Columbus Day altogether,  celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. The Mayor says he is not in favor of getting rid of Columbus Day here in New York.