Multiple statues of Christopher Columbus were vandalized amid continued calls to change the name of the federal holiday honoring the Italian explorer. Red paint, along with messages about genocide, were sprayed on landmarks in both San Francisco and Providence, Rhode Island
A sign that read “Stop celebrating genocide” was placed at the foot of the Columbus statue located in Providence, RI, and the statue was covered with red paint. In San Francisco, a Columbus statue near Coit Tower was also sprayed with red paint. Graffiti at the bottom read, “Destroy all monuments of genocide and kill all colonizers.”
Columbus Day observes the anniversary of the explorer’s arrival on what is now the Bahamas on Oct. 12, 1492. Many Italian Americans honor their heritage on Columbus Day with parades and festivals; however in recent years, indigenous people and others have rallied against the holiday, claiming Columbus enslaved and murdered many indigenous people.
At least eight states and 130 cities have legally changed the holiday to “Indigenous Peoples Day.”
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