COLUMBUS – Communities across the U.S., including the largest city named for the explorer, have taken a deeper look at Christopher Columbus’ legacy in recent years.
Monday’s federal holiday dedicated to Columbus is highlighting the ongoing divide between those who view the explorer as a representative of Italian Americans’ history and those horrified by an annual tribute that ignores the native people whose lives and culture were forever changed by colonialism.
The statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from in front of Columbus City Hall in 2020 and the city no longer officially observes the holiday. Offices are open; trash, recycling and yard waste are being picked up; schools are open and drivers will have to pay the parking meters downtown.
However, since it is still a federal holiday, there is no mail delivery and post offices are closed.
The state of Ohio also observes the holiday, so state offices are closed though most Franklin County offices – with the exception of the Board of Elections – are open.
Across the nation, the holiday has been replaced or paired with Indigenous Peoples Day.
On Friday, President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
But activists said efforts to end a formal holiday in Columbus’ name remain stalled by politicians and organizations focusing on Italian American heritage.
COTA plugs in
COTA is operating on its normal schedule Monday and is scheduled to debut its first two electric COTA transit vehicles.
The buses, which can operate for more than 150 miles on a single charge, are scheduled to begin running several routes daily.
The transit authority is planning to buy eight more electric coaches next year as part of its commitment to remove all diesel vehicles from the streets by 2025.