(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Chicago on Monday again became the epicenter for two holidays that seemingly are at odds: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day.
Groups and organizations supporting each concept held their respective events, with Columbus Day proponents saying the two holidays don’t have to be polarizing.
“We stand with indigenous people. We believe in their plight, we understand their struggles. We want to mourn with them, we want to share with them, we want to walk arm and arm with them,” Ron Onesti, President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, said as he and others gathered at Arrigo Park before the annual Columbus Day parade in Chicago.
Onesti said negotiations continue with city officials to return Columbus statues at that site and two others. The statues were removed amid civil unrest during the pandemic, with protesters blaming Columbus for the waves of European settlement that ultimately wiped out indigenous cultures.
Italian Americans say they mean no disrespect by honoring Columbus and holding parades in the explorer’s honor.
“We come to celebrate our Italian heritage, our culture and everything the Italians have brought over to the United States to help and improve our country,” said high school teacher Raffaella Spilotro, who came to the Chicago parade with about 30 members of her family from the western suburbs.
Columbus Day is recognized as a federal holiday, but many states and cities now recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day.
The latter holiday was the focus of events at Chicago’s Field Museum, where members of the Kichwa and Azteca communities performed songs and dances.
“I want people to be open minded,” said participant Catherine Cinche. “Maybe things happened in the past, but be more expressive and open to everybody’s culture. Have fun on the day and celebrate people that do deserve to be celebrated today.”
Teresa Barajas, community engagement manager of the Field Museum’s Learning Center, said Indigenous Peoples Day is a good time to reflect.
“I think it’s a reminder to us all to respect the land that we’re on, that this land is indigenous land.”