On behalf of the Italian American Alliance and Italian-American Defense League, I am writing this petition in response to the decision of the Norwich, CT Board of Education on January 12, 2021 to adopt a 2021-2022 School Year Calendar that replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The Italian-American Defense League (IADL) and Italian American Alliance (IAA) support education, portray positive stereotypes, and preserve cultural traditions. IADL and IAA promote the preservation of Italian-American heritage and customs. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the American establishment viewed Italian Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens. White supremacists attacked Italian Americans through lynching, discrimination, and inequitable wage practices.
Today Italian Americans of the past, present, and future are being attacked as Columbus Day is being eliminated or changed to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Admiral Christopher Columbus is accused of crimes committed by his political adversaries and governors after him. Columbus never acted unjustly and is the first civil rights activist of the New World by advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Evidence shows that Columbus wanted to convert Native Americans through teaching, not the sword. By Papal Law in the Fifteenth Century, once people converted to Christianity, it was illegal to enslave them. Christopher Columbus was a hero, and that is why the son of Genoa was a chosen symbol by the American government to embrace Italian Immigrants as Americans in response to bias and discrimination.
IADL and IAA support Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but not in place of Columbus Day. IADL and IAA support multiculturalism and civil rights, but not at the expense of Italian Americans. We stand against discrimination against Italians and Italian Americans as well as discrimination against people of other ethnic or racial groups.
IADL and IAA are formally requesting that Norwich Board of Education revisits the 2021-2022 School Year Calendar and adds Columbus Day.
Let your voice be heard. Become a member at www.iadlnow.org and www.italianamericanalliance.com . People of all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds are encouraged to join in support of IADL and IAA's mission. Membership is free.
Board of Education Members Contact Information: Daniels and Khalsa first and seconded the motion to change Columbus Day.
Chairperson: Heather Romanski, [email protected]
Vice Chairperson: Kevin Saythany, [email protected]
Secretary: Carline Charmelus, [email protected]
Member: Swaranjit Singh Bhatia Khalsa, [email protected]
Member: Aaron "Al" Daniels, [email protected]
Member: Christine Distasio, [email protected]
Member: Dr. Yvette Jacaruso Ed.D., [email protected]
Member: Mark Kulos, [email protected]
Member: Patricia Staley, [email protected]
Updates
March 21, 2021
Seeing 500 people stand with this cause is something I never could have imagined when I started. This milestone honestly belongs to all of you who cared enough to get us this far.
Reached 500 supporters
March 19, 2021
March 16, 2021
I have been reading through the deeply personal stories left in the comments section and I am truly humbled by the passion you all show for our heritage. Your willingness to stand up for our traditions is the only reason this conversation is still happening.
Reached 100 supporters
March 5, 2021
March 3, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by the number of people who have stepped forward to protect our heritage. We are nearing a hundred signatures and it would mean the world if you could help us push past that threshold today.
248 Comments
Native American Heritage Day is Nov 26, 2021. November is Native American Heritage Month. Globally Indigenous people Day is recognized as August 9th. As Italian-Americans we ask only for ONE day to celebrate our heritage and contributions. Are we not worthy of that?
What you propose is outrageous and demeans the accomplishments of a heroic, brave and intelligent history maker. Go to the library and look up the facts, not the propaganda on the internet. There is room on the calendar to celebrate both holidays.
Columbus Day was established as a holiday to honor Italian immigrants who made America their new home and endured racial bigot and discrimination. We are recognized as an ethnic group and this holiday celebrates our achievements in America and out heritage.
The Norwich public school system is indulging in another politically correct move to eliminate Columbus Day as a holiday. This is nothing more than a shameless and senseless move by people who do not know nor wish to know the whole story about the Genoese explorer.
I’m sure we can find ways to celebrate the indigenous without degrading the Italians. It is a shame to try and score “political points” at the Italian Americans expense. Italian Americans will not be scape goats. Joey Catanzaro President of the Italian American Alliance CT
Its unfortunet to why this country hates italians...
Columbus has been used as a scapegoat for all the ills of the last 500 years, both accidental and otherwise. This is simply not supported by the facts.
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On behalf of the Italian American Alliance and Italian-American Defense League, I am writing this petition in response to the decision of the Norwich, CT Board of Education on January 12, 2021 to adopt a 2021-2022 School Year Calendar that replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The Italian-American Defense League (IADL) and Italian American Alliance (IAA) support education, portray positive stereotypes, and preserve cultural traditions. IADL and IAA promote the preservation of Italian-American heritage and customs. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the American establishment viewed Italian Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens. White supremacists attacked Italian Americans through lynching, discrimination, and inequitable wage practices.
Today Italian Americans of the past, present, and future are being attacked as Columbus Day is being eliminated or changed to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Admiral Christopher Columbus is accused of crimes committed by his political adversaries and governors after him. Columbus never acted unjustly and is the first civil rights activist of the New World by advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Evidence shows that Columbus wanted to convert Native Americans through teaching, not the sword. By Papal Law in the Fifteenth Century, once people converted to Christianity, it was illegal to enslave them. Christopher Columbus was a hero, and that is why the son of Genoa was a chosen symbol by the American government to embrace Italian Immigrants as Americans in response to bias and discrimination.
IADL and IAA support Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but not in place of Columbus Day. IADL and IAA support multiculturalism and civil rights, but not at the expense of Italian Americans. We stand against discrimination against Italians and Italian Americans as well as discrimination against people of other ethnic or racial groups.
IADL and IAA are formally requesting that Norwich Board of Education revisits the 2021-2022 School Year Calendar and adds Columbus Day.
Let your voice be heard. Become a member at www.iadlnow.org and www.italianamericanalliance.com . People of all ethnicities, races, and backgrounds are encouraged to join in support of IADL and IAA's mission. Membership is free.
Board of Education Members Contact Information: Daniels and Khalsa first and seconded the motion to change Columbus Day.
Chairperson: Heather Romanski, [email protected]
Vice Chairperson: Kevin Saythany, [email protected]
Secretary: Carline Charmelus, [email protected]
Member: Swaranjit Singh Bhatia Khalsa, [email protected]
Member: Aaron "Al" Daniels, [email protected]
Member: Christine Distasio, [email protected]
Member: Dr. Yvette Jacaruso Ed.D., [email protected]
Member: Mark Kulos, [email protected]
Member: Patricia Staley, [email protected]
Updates
March 21, 2021
Seeing 500 people stand with this cause is something I never could have imagined when I started. This milestone honestly belongs to all of you who cared enough to get us this far.
Reached 500 supporters
March 19, 2021
March 16, 2021
I have been reading through the deeply personal stories left in the comments section and I am truly humbled by the passion you all show for our heritage. Your willingness to stand up for our traditions is the only reason this conversation is still happening.
Reached 100 supporters
March 5, 2021
March 3, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by the number of people who have stepped forward to protect our heritage. We are nearing a hundred signatures and it would mean the world if you could help us push past that threshold today.
248 Comments
Columbus is an integral part of our Italian culture. At a time when diversity is respected removing this legal and important day is an affront to Italian Americans. Give Indigenous People their day, leave us our Columbus Day!
Native American Heritage Day is Nov 26, 2021. November is Native American Heritage Month. Globally Indigenous people Day is recognized as August 9th. As Italian-Americans we ask only for ONE day to celebrate our heritage and contributions. Are we not worthy of that?
What you propose is outrageous and demeans the accomplishments of a heroic, brave and intelligent history maker. Go to the library and look up the facts, not the propaganda on the internet. There is room on the calendar to celebrate both holidays.
Columbus Day was established as a holiday to honor Italian immigrants who made America their new home and endured racial bigot and discrimination. We are recognized as an ethnic group and this holiday celebrates our achievements in America and out heritage.
The Norwich public school system is indulging in another politically correct move to eliminate Columbus Day as a holiday. This is nothing more than a shameless and senseless move by people who do not know nor wish to know the whole story about the Genoese explorer.
I’m sure we can find ways to celebrate the indigenous without degrading the Italians. It is a shame to try and score “political points” at the Italian Americans expense. Italian Americans will not be scape goats. Joey Catanzaro President of the Italian American Alliance CT
Its unfortunet to why this country hates italians...
Columbus has been used as a scapegoat for all the ills of the last 500 years, both accidental and otherwise. This is simply not supported by the facts.
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Columbus is an integral part of our Italian culture. At a time when diversity is respected removing this legal and important day is an affront to Italian Americans. Give Indigenous People their day, leave us our Columbus Day!