Sicilian Culture: The News: Compromise Offered for Columbus Day

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Compromise Offered for Columbus Day
Associated Press
August 29, 2001 - - DENVER (AP) - The man who holds the permit for the city's Columbus Day parade has offered a compromise that could appease American Indian and Hispanic activists opposed to the event.
C.M. Mangiaracina said Tuesday he would drop Columbus' name from the parade in exchange for the creation of a citywide Italian-American History Month.
``You want to take something from me?'' he said. ``Well, give me something in return.''
Mayor Wellington Webb has the power to make such a proclamation. He has planned meetings with Mangiaracina but has not commented on the suggestion.
Italian-American groups in New York and in San Francisco have removed Columbus from the name of their events, but still refer to the explorer in their parades.
Latina activist Nita Gonzalez, who has been involved in negotiations over the Denver parade's name, and Glenn Morris of the American Indian Movement said they would not object to a celebration of Italian heritage.
During last year's Oct. 8 parade, demonstrators who view Columbus as a genocidal killer spilled red liquid on the parade route and blocked it; 147 were arrested for misdemeanors but most charges were dismissed.
That was the first parade since 1991, when violent clashes forced cancellation of the event.
Mangiaracina wound up with the permit after Italian-Americans staged a 34-day, round-the-clock vigil at city offices to ensure they would be first in line to get a parade permit for Columbus Day, the federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October.
Some Italian-Americans already are upset that the current parade permit reads: ``Columbus Day Italian Pride Parade'' rather than just Columbus Day.
``The calendar says Columbus Day. That's what we want,'' said George Vendegnia, a founder of the Sons of Italy New Generation Lodge No. 270.
City officials are considering Vendegnia's application for a separate parade on Columbus Day.

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