Two statues of Christopher Columbus were taken down in two Chicago parks.

In Grant Park, a crowd cheered and passing cars honked as the statue came down at about 3 a.m., The Associated Press reported, and the removal was shown live on local television. The second statue was removed about 5:30 a.m. from Arrigo Park.

“This step is about an effort to protect public safety and to preserve a safe space for an inclusive and democratic public dialogue about our city’s symbols,” the mayor’s office said in the statement.