Bill would punish governments that replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day
www.newsandsentinel.com
YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, introduced a bill that would punish any local or state government that celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Called the “Italian Heroes and Heritage Act,” Rulli’s bill would prohibit federal funds to local or state governments that have replaced Columbus Day, which is Monday, with Indigenous […]

cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/6439393

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, introduced a bill that would punish any local or state government that celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day.

Called the “Italian Heroes and Heritage Act,” Rulli’s bill would prohibit federal funds to local or state governments that have replaced Columbus Day, which is Monday, with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Rulli’s bill doesn’t address local or state governments that celebrate both, stating it would apply to those that celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day “in lieu of Columbus Day.”

Rulli, an Italian American, said the day recognizes the “generations of Italian Americans whose courage, sacrifice and hard work have helped shape the United States.”

Rulli, whose 11-county district has Mahoning as its most populous, said, “For years, the extreme left has desecrated statues of Christopher Columbus and sought to erase Columbus Day, replacing it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This is not about inclusion, it is about erasing the contributions of millions of Italian Americans who helped build this nation. Indigenous peoples deserve recognition, but this day was created to honor us.”

Columbus Day was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1934 in the United States on Oct. 12 and then moved to the second Monday in October starting in 1971.

Rulli’s bill mentions that President Benjamin Harrison founded the day in 1892 — 400 years after Columbus’ arrival in the Americas — to honor that voyage and the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans because of their heritage.

Harrison’s recognition was a one-time national celebration.

Full Article

    • Mirshe@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 days ago

      So atrocious that the Spanish crown literally was going to execute him for how atrocious he was.. Columbus was only saved because he was good friends with Isabella.

    • Nasan@sopuli.xyz
      1·
      3 days ago

      So much so, that he wants that to be the legacy for each and every hard working Italian American

  • theneverfox@pawb.socialEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    Honestly, after reading up on the history, the right thing to do is to pick the best Italian American

    This was never about Columbus, it was about representation. So we shouldn’t take away their day, we just need to pick a better figure

    I think Giulio Ricci would be cool for inventing super heroes, or Frank Sinatra for name recognition

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 days ago

      Honestly name it Cincinnatus day. He’s an Italian who embodies the virtues of a dutiful citizen of a republic and ohio can still have their fun at a day honoring someone who they have a city named after.

      I’ll also accept Sacco and Vanzetti day, they actually died for anti Italian sentiment

        • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
          3·
          2 days ago

          Cincinnatus was called upon by the roman senate to take the role of dictator (total power for a limited time to deal with a crisis). He dealt with the problem in 16 days then relinquished his power to return to his farm.

          Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian immigrants and anarchists who were blamed for murders because of anti Italian prejudice and anti anarchist prejudice. They were executed despite wide international protests and increasing evidence of their innocence. Even Mussolini called for their execution to be stayed. Later analysis has left reasonable doubt as to their guilt, possibly not even a preponderance of evidence.