STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Controversy over October’s second Monday comes to the Island every year, but its helped two local state Assembly candidates find common ground.
Republican Sam Pirozzolo and Democrat Vincent Argenziano, candidates to replace outgoing Assembly member Mike Cusick (D-Mid-Island), both took a stand against a piece of state legislation that would change the official designation for Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in a variety of state laws.
“As a first-generation Italian-American, I am disgusted by this latest attempt to smear Italian-Americans and cancel a holiday that, for more than 100 years, has celebrated the contributions made by Italians immigrants like my parents, who came to this country as children in 1930s,” Pirozzolo said.
“This is not just my story, and it is not just a Staten Island story; Italian immigrants settled all across New York and helped build it — physically, economically, and culturally. I find it ironic how, more often than not, those looking to do the canceling belong to the side that claims to be the most inclusive,” the Republican candidate continued. “Italian-Americans deserve nothing less than an opportunity to celebrate their culture, the same privilege that is afforded to dozens of other cultural groups who belong to the great big melting pot that is our city, state, and nation.”
Pirozzolo’s general election opponent also said he would oppose the bill.
“I would not vote for any bill that would change Columbus Day. I am immensely proud of my Italian Heritage and the contributions that many Italian-Americans made to building this great city,” Argenzianio said. “Like many other Staten Islanders I thoroughly enjoy celebrating my culture throughout Italian American Heritage Month, including on Columbus Day. I see no reason to eliminate Columbus Day as a holiday in New York State, especially given our city and state’s unique connection to many great Italians and Italian-Americans.”
The Assembly legislation, sponsored by Assembly member Marcela Mitaynes (D-Brooklyn), would change the holiday’s designation in the state’s executive law, transportation law, vehicle and traffic law, town law, county law, general construction law and personal property law.
Mitaynes’ office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, but the bill’s summary of provisions gives the following reasons for changing the holiday’s designation:
“Christopher Columbus did not discover America. Indigenous People’s Day reimagines Columbus Day and changes a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about the genocide and oppression of indigenous people in the Americas, to organize against current injustices and to celebrate indigenous resistance.”
State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) introduced a version of the bill in the Senate in January 2021, and multiple prior versions of the legislation haven’t gotten out of committee. The Legislature isn’t scheduled to meet for several months.
Celebrations of Columbus Day in the U.S. dates back to the 18th century as a celebration of the European discovery of the Americas.
Evidence has since emerged that Columbus, a Genoese who sailed for Spain, was not the first European in the western hemisphere, but the holiday has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage with annual parades around the country, including in New York City.
Controversy stirred in the five boroughs in May 2021 when the Department of Education unceremoniously changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, but former Mayor Bill de Blasio walked that back giving the day a joint designation honoring Italian-American heritage and indigenous peoples.
President Biden took a similar step last year declaring Oct. 11, 2021 as Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day.
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