Some Illinoisans want to do away with Columbus Day

Posted on October 12, 2020
Speaking in Chicago Monday – Columbus Day – Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez says the evidence is in, and Christopher Columbus should be out. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day has hit Illinois.

Tony Leone of Springfield, part of the local Roman Cultural Society, does not agree. “This erase culture is really counterproductive, and I don’t think it does anything but a terrible disservice,” he said. “I think with Christopher Columbus, there is a story to be told. He was quite the pioneer.”

Speaking in Chicago Monday – Columbus Day – Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez says the evidence is in, and Christopher Columbus should be out.

“I think that there (are) no more excuses that we can find in order to continue honoring a mass murderer; in order to continue to honor a white supremacist holiday, which is what Columbus Day is.”

The alderwoman was part of a news conference promoting the idea of swapping out Columbus for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. State Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) wanted to pass a bill addressing the state holiday, but COVID-19 truncated the General Assembly session. She says she will try again in 2021.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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