City Councilmember Mark Squilla is opposing the city’s decision to change the designation of Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. Mayor Jim Kenney signed the executive order on Jan. 27, which will immediately change the 2021 holiday, which falls on Oct. 11. 

“I strongly support a holiday for our Indigenous peoples,” Squilla said in a lengthy statement released on Feb. 9. “However, I strongly oppose having a new holiday replace an existing holiday that celebrates Italian American heritage.” Squilla said the mayor’s order is “disheartening and a personal affront to Italian Americans.”