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By: Rob Otto
Five New York Democrats, including progressive Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, are facing backlash for co-sponsoring a bill to replace Columbus Day with “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Critics accuse the lawmakers of spreading “hate” against Italian-American heritage in what some see as a politically charged attack.
As The New York Post reports in an exclusive, the proposed legislation—H.R. 5822—has stirred up anger in the Italian-American community, who view it as an effort to erase their cultural contributions.
The other Democratic co-sponsors include Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Grace Meng, and Gregory Meeks, all of whom have supported the move to change the federal holiday. The bill reads: “To designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a legal public holiday and replace the term ‘Columbus Day’ with the term ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day.’” The proposal has deepened the divide in New York, especially among those who see the move as an attack on a long-standing tradition.
Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, decried the legislation as an affront to Italian-American culture. He told supporters in an email, “We seek to preserve our heritage, celebrate the contributions of Italian Americans and honor the great achievements of Columbus. And we support a holiday for the recognition of indigenous people.” He added that the New York Democrats’ actions were “hurtful” and aimed at “dividing our communities.” According to Vivolo, this initiative should be opposed, urging the public to “Call upon these lawmakers to drop the hate, seek the truth, and withdraw their sponsorship of H.R. 5822,” The New York Post reported.
The left-wing push to replace Columbus Day is part of a broader attempt by progressive politicians to reshape America’s cultural landscape. Ocasio-Cortez, who has a long history of controversial statements, previously argued in 2018 for eliminating Columbus Day to make Election Day a national holiday. “How is Columbus Day a holiday but not Election Day? I am willing to compromise by eliminating Columbus Day to give Election Day off,” she remarked on X (formerly Twitter). Her stance has drawn criticism from those who see it as part of a broader agenda to erase symbols of Western history.
The proposed change has also met resistance from some within the Democratic Party. Grace Meng, who represents parts of Queens, offered a more balanced view. In a statement to The Post, Meng acknowledged the contributions of Italian Americans, saying, “Italian Americans have made enormous contributions to our nation, and we have to continue honoring this outstanding legacy, regardless of how one may feel about Christopher Columbus.” She also supported recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day but insisted that both groups deserved recognition. “There should be a way to equally celebrate both, and it doesn’t have to be limited to just one day.”
While Ocasio-Cortez and her progressive allies continue to push their agenda, opposition remains strong among those who believe in preserving Columbus Day. For many Italian Americans, the explorer represents a significant cultural symbol, despite controversies surrounding his actions during his voyages. Critics argue that the focus on Columbus’s flaws is an attempt by progressives to rewrite history to fit their own ideological narratives.
Adding to the debate, a recent report claims that Columbus may have been a Sephardic Jew rather than an ethnic Italian, challenging conventional narratives about his origins.
