Columbus Day shines light on growing movement to replace holiday

Columbus statue in Detroit, Michigan, with a hatchet in his head.

CBS News, October 9, 2017

NEW YORK — Is it time to say arrivederci to Christopher Columbus?

A movement to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day has gained momentum in some parts of the U.S., with Los Angeles in August becoming the biggest city yet to decide to stop honoring the Italian explorer and instead recognize victims of colonialism.

Five treated after driver hits Reno Columbus Day protesters

KOLO TV, October 10, 2016

RENO, Nev.— Officials with REMSA said five people were treated for minor injuries after being hit by a pickup driver during a confrontation in downtown Reno. It happened during a Columbus Day protest put on by the American Indian Movement of Northern Nevada (AIMNN).

Abolish Columbus Day Graphic

From Indigenous Action Media

Detroit’s Christopher Columbus statue vandalized

Columbus statue in Detroit, Michigan, with a hatchet in his head.

By Lee DeVito, Metro Times, Oct 12, 2015

It’s Columbus Day — the annual time of year where Americans take the day off of work to reflect upon the problematic legacy of Christopher Columbus.

In the spirit of the holiday, it appears that someone has vandalized the bust of Columbus located outside of Detroit’s Renaissance Center. A photo posted to Reddit shows what looks like a bloody hatchet blow to the statue’s head.

Seattle Marches To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day

Natives rally in Seattle on Oct 13, 2014, to mark Indigenous People’s Day, officially declared by Seattle city council to replace the traditional Columbus Day festivities, the result of a campaign by Native activists.

by Alex Garland, TheDignityVirus.com, October 13, 2014

Activists for Indigenous rights, tribal members, native leaders, and indigenous people from around North America gathered to rally and celebrate Seattle’s newest holiday, Indigenous People’s Day, replacing Columbus Day. The event included a rally at Westlake Park, a march to Seattle Center and a rally at the John T. Williams memorial totem pole. More than 150 demonstrators marched through Seattle, stopping in intersections to sing and dance.