BUFFALO (WBEN) - Several places around the country, including Washington D.C., have decided against celebrating Columbus Day and have moved toward recognizing Indigenous People's Day.
While that has happened in Buffalo to this point, about a dozen people gathered in front of the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Park this morning to protest.
“It’s something that has to do with the contributions that Italian Americans have made and the sacrifices,” Feroleto said. “Years ago when it was first declared a national holiday in the 1930s by FDR it was very important because they suffered so much when they came here. This was a very important day to (legitimize) the contributions they have made to American society.”
However, Kane doesn't really buy that argument, saying that Columbus' connection to Italy is suspect at best, and there are plenty of others from an Italian background who have made significant contributions in United States history.
"The strongest issue that we have is the celebration of Columbus with parks, with statues, with parades - I mean it's absurd that the United States' capital is associated with Christopher Columbus - I mean it is really absurd," said Kane. "When you consider this is - first and foremost - a school holiday, it becomes even more important that real education is brought to bear on this subject."