New London council makes Italian Heritage Day official

Columbus Day rejected after removal of statue

New London — The City Council on Monday voted unanimously to exchange Columbus Day in the city with Italian Heritage Day, a move councilors said would allow celebration of the accomplishments of Italian Americans without paying homage to a divisive figure in American history.

The resolution was accompanied by two others: one declaring October as Italian Heritage Month and November as Native American Heritage Month.

Councilor Curtis Goodwin, who spearheaded the resolutions, said it should be a source of unity and healing for the community.

“We have to remind ourselves that if we’re not doing something that’s unifying us in this present day, when we are here and not our ancestors, then what is it we are doing?” he said.

Councilor James Burke said dropping Columbus Day in favor of Italian Heritage Day was fitting and not in conflict with the school system’s previous decision to trade Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day.

Mayor Michael Passero said the creation of Italian Heritage Day was a good compromise that takes into consideration the historical backlash against Christopher Columbus while giving attention to the many contributions of Italian Americans.

Passero earlier this year had moved a 90-year-old Columbus statue out of the city and into storage amid protests calling for social justice. The statue was being repeatedly vandalized. The City Council later voted to keep it off city property indefinitely.

Councilor John Satti ultimately voted in favor of the resolution but not without injecting some conflict into Monday’s meeting.

Satti said some Italian Americans have been taken aback by the fact that Columbus Day was under attack and the statute had been taken down.

“One should be asking, especially since Italian Americans have done so much for our nation and our city, why?” he said.

He went on to recite a list of prominent Italian Americans, from Frank Sinatra and Ariana Grande to Anthony Fauci and Antonin Scalia. He continued to read a brief history of accomplishments of other famous Italian Americans. With his speech nearing the 10- minute mark, President Pro Tempore Alma Nartatez, who was running the meeting, called several times for Satti to wrap it up.

The move prompted a harsh response.

“I would ask you to stop discriminating against me as an Italian American and give me about three more minutes to speak,” Satti said.

“That is so out of order,” Nartatez said. “You must adhere to Robert’s Rules. This is not the Councilor Satti Show. All of us agree this is a very important topic we support.” Robert’s Rules of Order are used by governments and organizations to guide meetings.

Italian American Heritage Day will be celebrated on the second Monday of October, which remains a paid holiday for federal employees.