Urgent Notice!
We have just been advised about a bill that was introduced in the Senate to eliminate the Columbus Day Federal holiday and instead have that be a Federal Holiday for Indigenous People. THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM EVERYONE!
Here is a brief excerpt from a lengthy email sent by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) with his endorsement of this new bill:
“On September 28, 2023, Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico introduced S. 2970, the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act. This legislation would designate the official holiday recognized on the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrating the rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures of Indigenous communities that have long been overlooked throughout our Nation’s history.”
PLEASE – contact your Senators immediately for them to oppose this bill. Italian Americans are a recognized group under the 14th Amendment and this is DISCRIMINATION, favoring one group over another. We have nothing against Indigenous People – but they already have International Indigenous Peoples Day as declared by the United Nations for August 9. So, don’t take away OUR holiday – recognize 8/9 for IPD.
Please remember what the late Dr. Manny Alfano founder of the Italian American One Voice Coalition always said – “If we say nothing and do nothing, we will surely become nothing!” We must now ALL say something AND do something – or we will lose our federal holiday!
Let us forge ahead in defense of our great heritage!
In unity,