Dem Rep Blasts Christopher Columbus as a ‘Genocidal Maniac’
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) claimed Christopher Columbus is a “genocidal maniac” and should not have a federal holiday in his honor. She tweeted on Monday, “Today should just be And yet this day is still shared with a…
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) claimed Christopher Columbus is a “genocidal maniac” and should not have a federal holiday in his honor.
She tweeted on Monday, “Today should just be And yet this day is still shared with a genocidal maniac.”
Velázquez added, “We need to take this time to reflect on the brutal history of violence against Indigenous peoples in America and recognize that there is still a lot of work to repair this harm.”
Other Democratic lawmakers spoke out against the celebration of Columbus, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
He tweeted, “Millions of indigenous people lost their lives during the genocide committed against them in the Americas. Today we pause in solemn recognition of this human tragedy. And recommit to uplift the original occupants of this land.”
Several Republican lawmakers took to Twitter to celebrate Columbus Day.
https://twitter.com/RepKayGranger/status/1447547783230095362
On Friday, President Joe Biden became the first president to issue a presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
He wrote in the Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation, “For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures.”
Biden continued, “Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.”