A group of aldermen and several Italian American groups have filed a complaint calling the Chicago Board of Education's decision to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day illegal. Every October, the city's Italian American community celebrates Columbus Day with a large, vibrant parade downtown. While that celebration won't change anytime soon, the holiday will no longer be observed by Chicago Public Schools.
The Chicago Board of Education voted last week to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day. It's a movement that's been gaining momentum nationwide over the last several years. "Italians were once second-class citizens and it will not be allowed to happen again," said Sergio Giangrande, of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.
