New name for Columbus Boulevard?
A state lawmaker and other members of a historically Black fraternity are calling on city officials to rename Hartford’s Columbus Boulevard after Frank T. Simpson, a local civil rights leader. Simpson, who was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, was born in Alabama and moved to Hartford in 1929. He was the first paid employee of the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and served as its executive director for 15 years. He also advocated for desegregation as a consultant to state governments and educational institutions.
HARTFORD – A state lawmaker and other members of a historically Black fraternity are calling on city officials to rename Hartford’s Columbus Boulevard after Frank T. Simpson, a local civil rights leader.
“As nationwide calls for the removal of statues glorifying colonialism and white supremacy have now reached our city, which is evidenced in the recent removal of the Columbus statue downtown, we believe that the renaming of Columbus Boulevard must be a part of the conversation and that the new name should reflect a true champion for change,” a letter from Rep. Brandon McGee, D-Hartford, on behalf of members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity reads.
Simpson, who was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, was born in Alabama and moved to Hartford in 1929. He was the first paid employee of the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and served as its executive director for 15 years. He also advocated for desegregation as a consultant to state governments and educational institutions.
“As we begin to rename and take down symbols of racism in this country, when it comes time to rededicate these spaces, they must honor the lives of residents who went above and beyond for the public interest,” the letter, which was sent to Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Gov. Ned Lamont, reads.
Renaming a city street in Hartford is a multistep process that requires a recommendation from the Public Buildings Dedication Committee and approval by the city council.
Bronin, a member of the committee, had no immediate comment Monday on the letter from McGee.
Across Connecticut and the country, statues of Christopher Columbus have been removed amid racial justice protests spurred by high-profile police killings of Black men and women. While many of the statutes were built by Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century as a celebration of their heritage, supporters of their removal say Columbus’ legacy includes the enslavement and subjugation of indigenous people and that he should not be honored with monuments on public land.
A Columbus statue in Hartford that had stood near the state Capitol for almost 100 years was quietly removed the morning of June 29 and placed into storage. New Haven, Middletown, New London and Bridgeport have similarly removed Columbus statutes.
Some cities and towns have also renamed the Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous People’s Day.