Some Pols Conspicuously Absent From Columbus Day Parade

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lightfoot gave the Columbus Day Parade a pass on Monday, and so did some other top politicians. 

As in, celebrate the people who were in the Americas before Columbus even thought about sailing the ocean blue.

There was a day when politicians made a point of showing up at the Columbus Day parade.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs was there this year and was asked by reporters to comment on the absence of other politicos.

"I assume that other people are busy and they have their own schedules. I made a point to be out here today,” he said.

Chicago's city treasurer, Melissa Conyers-Ervin, was at the parade.

"I know that there are concerns. I would say that I'm out here today celebrating Columbus Day. We all have different points of view and that's Okay,” she said.

"As I think about this parade and think about the city of Chicago, we're inclusive. And we're celebrating all people."

Also at the Columbus Day Parade: County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Later Monday, Lightfoot posted a series of tweets acknowledging the Columbus Day holiday but highlighting the need to celebrate indigenous cultures that were affected by the arrival of Europeans.

4/ Here in Chicago, while we still formally recognize Columbus Day, we also celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, taking both as a challenge to clearly and honestly face our history, as we move forward together to create a more just future for ourselves, our city, and our society

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) October 14, 2019