Bloomington City Council continues discussion about replacing Columbus Day

Posted on November 10, 2020
The Bloomington City Council voted 7-2 to move the conversation forward, but not make an official decision. (Photo courtesy HOI ABC)

 

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A proposal to replace Christopher Columbus day with Indigenous Peoples’ day is still up for discussion for the Bloomington City Council.

In Monday’s meeting, the council voted 7-2 to move the conversation forward, but not make an official decision. Instead, council created two separate ordinances.

Our news partner HOI ABC reports the first one is the original idea to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ day. The second asks that a request be sent to state and federal governments to do the same.

Council member Jenn Carrillo pitched the idea in late summer.

“History teaches us that wounds can’t begin to heal until past harm is acknowledged,” Carrillo said. “So it is in the spirit of acknowledgement and healing that I am bringing this proposal forth.”

Others on the council suggested, not to replace one holiday with another, but instead celebrate indigenous people on a different day, and keep Columbus day as is.

It’s unclear when a final decision could be made.

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