Protesters hope Columbus Day parade draws crowd
Betsy Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News
Monday, October 1, 2007
Members of an American Indian Movement splinter group hope thousands of people will appear from four directions to protest Saturday's Columbus Day parade in Denver.
The official parade begins at 10 a.m. at 15th Street and Court Place, and ends at 14th Avenue and Broadway.
Protesters involved with the AIM-Colorado will begin assembling at 7 a.m. for the All Nations/Four Directions March. They hope to converge at the state Capitol at 8 a.m., walking from the Mercury Cafe, Governor's Park, West Fifth Avenue and Bannock Street, and the Auraria campus.
"As we move into the 100th anniversary of Columbus Day, this is basically something that effects my family directly," said Littleton resident Shannon Francis, a member of the Hopi and Diné tribes.
Although Denver has celebrated Columbus Day since 1907, Francis said said she wants the holiday repealed, because it represents the invasion of her native land 515 ago.
She appeared at a press conference today on the steps of the City and County Building, to announce protest plans. Last year, several hundred marched.
Holiday supporters and protesters have been at odds for years.
Last year, the parade included displays against abortion and homosexuality, and was led by horseback riders in cavalry costumes, Francis said.
Several other groups announced their intentions to protest the parade.
One man, from Oklahoma, called Columbus Americas' first terrorist. Another said the parade is a celebration of hate, racism and genocide.
"The parade you are going to see has nothing to do with Italian culture," said a third, Glenn Spagnuolo.
Last year, Spagnuolo was part of the Transform Columbus Day Alliance, but his efforts were initially spurned by Native American leaders.
This year, he is representing PITCH Progressive Italians Transforming the Columbus Holiday, and said a delegation from Italy will also be attending the protest.
When asked if his group had a permit, Spagnuolo said, "We don't need a permit, because we are on native land."
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