Still every year on October 12 in some states of the Americas is officially celebrated “Columbus Day”. This day marks the anniversary of the invasion by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and the beginning of European colonization and tyranny.
For years, various groups and individuals, most notably the American Indian Movement (AIM) and other Native American self-organizations, have protested the holiday and called for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
Rethinking Schools and the Zinn Education Project have launched the Abolish Columbus Day campaign, which calls for the abolition of “Columbus Day” to stop celebrating Columbus’ crimes. Instead, they demand solidarity with Native communities who have been calling for the end of the holiday for years, and their struggles, as well as an appreciation of their achievements.
The Abolish Columbus Day website lists information, resources and suggestions for participating in the campaign.