Italian American leaders and legislators, including ISDA President Basil Russo, will convene at Columbus Circle this Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m. to hold a major Pro-Columbus press conference.
Watch coverage of the press conference here.
Erasing history and creating a culture of winners and losers is no way to lead or govern, a lesson Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Department of Education Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter learned the hard way last week after Columbus Day was unilaterally changed on school calendars to Italian American Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.
Related story: The Anti-Columbus Playbook Is Unraveling in NYC
Several NY city council members, state legislators and federal leaders have condemned the botched name change, and many officials will be on hand at the press conference to voice their support for a more united approach to this divisive and misunderstood issue.
Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) is co-sponsoring the presser, and Pro-Columbus supporters are encouraged to attend the event, which will be held at the Northeast Corner of Columbus Circle.
Our History
The time-honored Columbus Day celebrations were launched in the late 1800s as Italian immigrants attempted to create a sense of self-esteem and dignity during a period where they were subjected to lynchings, bigotry and prejudice throughout the country.
Columbus’s journey sparked 500 years of immigration to America, attracting peoples from throughout the world seeking a better life for their families — this is the spirit we champion and are fighting to preserve, and this is what the Columbus statues stand for.
Our Stance
The Italian American community has always supported the designation of an Indigenous Peoples Day as it is most rightly and most justly deserved.
However, it’s absurd and unjust that our heritage be erased in order to appease another group.
We hope to see you on Wednesday, May 12 in NYC!
Sponsors
The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations
Italian Sons & Daughters of America
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Italian American One Voice Coalition
The Commission for Social Justice
UNICO National
Columbus Citizens Foundation
Columbus Heritage Coalition
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