Many activists are fighting against the symbols of the genocide of indigenous peoples, drew attention to this historical figure as the discoverer Christopher Columbus. And while bill de Blasio is trying to save a monument to the seafarer in new York, the city Council of Los Angeles voted to remove Columbus Day from the calendar.
The city Council made the decision to make the second Monday of October, Day of indigenous peoples. It will replace the celebration of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean, which is so important for Italian Americans.
President of the federated Italo-Americans of southern California Ann Potenza said: «Speaking on behalf of the Italian community, we want to celebrate this day with you. We just don’t want it to be due to the Columbus Day». Council member Joe Buscaino, Italian American first generation, has put forward an alternative plan to celebrate the Day of indigenous peoples on 9 August (the date chosen by the United Nations for the International day of indigenous peoples). The Council rejected this proposal: 11 votes against and 4 for.
Council member Mike Bonin, the great-grandson of Italian immigrants, said he was genuinely hurt not to agree with Boscaino, but he recognized that Columbus Day reduces the achievements of his ancestors, who came to the United States to «to build something, not destroy».
