New York State recognizes Columbus Day as a paid holiday on the second Monday in October, but there is ongoing debate over the legacy of Christopher Columbus on Indigenous people. Legislation has been proposed to transform Columbus Day into Indigenous Peoples Day statewide, and similar legislation has been proposed at the federal level. However, the current administration of President Donald Trump supports Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian American heritage. The holiday has been a source of controversy, with activists targeting historical monuments of Columbus for destruction.<\/p>\n
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) \u2014 New York State officially recognizes the paid holiday Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. On Sunday night, New York Governor Kathy Hochul\u2019s warning about a coastal storm ultimately cancelled the 2025 New York City Columbus Day parade<\/a> set for Monday amid debate over the legacy of Christopher Columbus on Indigenous people.<\/p>\n \t A nor\u2019easter with predicted 60-mile-an-hour winds drowned out the parade, traditionally held on Fifth Avenue. Event organizers said it won\u2019t be rescheduled and that they look forward to 2026.<\/p>\n Today, advocates argue the day should recognize the destruction of Indigenous North American cultures during the era of European colonialism that followed the voyages of Columbus. In New York, legislation dating back to 2017 would transform Columbus Day into Indigenous Peoples Day statewide. The proposal maintains the second Monday in October as a legal public holiday.<\/p>\n \t The sponsors of S2227<\/a>\/A3868<\/a>\u2014Democratic State Senator Jessica Ramos and Democratic Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes\u2014justified their proposal by arguing that Columbus did not discover America. They said that renaming the holiday would help recognize the \u201ccontributions to our history, culture and economic life\u201d that come from Indigenous people who suffered historical genocide and ongoing oppression.<\/p>\n Under the previous administration of President Joe Biden, federal lawmakers had proposed similar legislation to reimagine the holiday. In September 2023, S2970<\/a> in the Senate and HR5822<\/a> in the House of Representatives offered a similar change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. Among New York\u2019s delegation, Democratic Congressmembers Adriano Espaillat, Greg Meeks, Grace Meng, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Democratic Congressmember Jamaal Bowman all signed on, though the bill didn\u2019t advance in either house of Congress.<\/p>\n \t Under the current administration of President Donald Trump, Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian American heritage has strong support. Trump, a native New Yorker, issued a proclamation on Thursday that detailed a \u201clegendary Christopher Columbus\u2014the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization.\u201d The president said he was \u201creinstating Columbus Day\u201d on October 13 after a campaign to erase American history and slander American heroes.<\/p>\n Republican Congressmembers Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler, both Italian Americans from New York, both publicly praised Trump\u2019s pro-Columbus actions on social media. Lawler said he wants to celebrate the history, heritage, and contributions of Italian Americans.<\/p>\n \t A week ahead of Columbus Day, on October 6, Republican Congressmember Andrew Garbarino, another Italian American representing the Empire State, submitted HR789<\/a>. That House Resolution would explicitly recognize the impact of Columbus on the Italian American community and officially designate the second Monday in October as Columbus Day. Lawler cosponsored this bill alongside fellow Republican Congressmembers from New York Nick Lalota, Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, and Claudia Tenney.<\/p>\n And former Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo\u2014who is running for mayor of New York City as an independent after having lost the party nomination\u2014recommitted to protecting the statue at Columbus Circle. Since 2020, historical monuments like statues of Columbus<\/a> were targeted by activists wanted American to confront and atone for a problematic past<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t On Monday, he vowed to \u201ccelebrate the enduring contributions of Italian Americans to New York City\u201d in 2025. Cuomo argued that generations of Italian immigrants see Columbus and statues of him as a symbol that they belong in America.<\/p>\n Back in the House of Representatives, Republican Michael Rulli of Ohio introduced HR5739<\/a>, the \u201cThe Italian Heroes and Heritage Act,\u201d on Friday. Though the bill text is not yet available, it would withhold federal funding from state or local governments that celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. It\u2019s pitched as an effort to preserve the achievements of Italian Americans.<\/p>\n \t Hochul proclaimed October 11, 2021, as Columbus Day in the Empire State, paying tribute to the explorer from Genoa, Italy, and his historic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. She called for commemorating the day to celebrate the countless contributions of Italian Americans.<\/p>\n But the proclamation also left room to describe the state\u2019s greatest asset as its \u201cmosaic of cultures, each of which adds to our strength, enrichment, and diversity.\u201d And despite the official name, some officials still prefer recognizing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day.<\/p>\n \t For example, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams released a statement on Monday honoring Indigenous Peoples rather than Columbus to \u201cstand with and lift up the marginalized.\u201d He said the day is about honoring Indigenous people, traditions, and heritage while acknowledging how they\u2019ve been harmed. His statement also acknowledged Italian American heritage; New York City\u2019s public schools recognize the second Monday of October as \u201cItalian Heritage\/Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2021, Biden proclaimed October 11 as Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day, stating that the nation celebrates the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples and recognizes the Federal Government\u2019s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. He directed the U.S. flag to be displayed on all public buildings that day \u201cin honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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