Philly Radical Italian Network

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There is no pride in genocide. We stand with our Indigenous famiglia in their demand for an immediate end to the celebration of murderous colonizers.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY MUST REPLACE COLUMBUS DAY

October 13, 2025 - Statement by Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day (MA), Italian American Heritage Society of Chicago, and Philly Radical Italian Network

As progressive Italian Americans and allies of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island (North America), we urge municipal, state, and federal elected bodies to immediately enact measures to abolish Columbus Day and designate the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples Day. Now more than ever, as systemic injustices multiply under the cruelty of the current administration, we must publicly stand with our famiglia everywhere in the struggle for human rights and dignity.

We believe that a holiday celebrating the resilience of Indigenous people is far more truthful and uplifting than one that honors a brutal colonizer. We have listened to the voices of Indigenous people and learned the complete history of the founding of this nation. Columbus’ horrific acts of genocide and enslavement are the irrefutable truth, proven by Indigenous knowledge, by the writings of Columbus himself and those of his sons and contemporaries, and by mainstream scholarship.

Some Italian Americans believe that Columbus Day in some way makes up for the discrimination our ancestors endured. We believe that because of these experiences we must have zero tolerance for acts of oppression against others. Some claim that the holiday is merely a celebration of Italian American culture. We believe that any association with Columbus diminishes our rich heritage and does not honor the struggles of our ancestors. The celebration of a murderous colonizer must not take place in our name. As allies to Indigenous peoples, we follow in the footsteps of the many Italian Americans throughout our history who have fought for civil and human rights for all.

Today, Italian Americans enjoy recognition and status in America, but these are not privileges afforded to Indigenous people. For them, the celebration of a man responsible for the genocide of their ancestors is another painful reminder of the ways in which they continue to be made invisible. It is time for non-Native people to take collective responsibility for the false and incomplete telling of our history and for our misplaced adulation of Columbus. Only by facing the past will we find a way forward in which we can all prosper and live in peace.

Indigenous people have been advocating for this course correction since the 1970s. By honoring their wishes with a stand-alone holiday - not shared with “Columbus Day” or “Italian American Heritage Day,” we will acknowledge the truth and demonstrate our commitment to healing and reconciliation. This is one small step Italian Americans, and the dominant culture as a whole, can take to begin repairing the harm caused by centuries of oppression and erasure. Become an ally at ItaliansforIPD.org.

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