NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Despite the controversy surrounding Columbus Day, one local organization says the holiday still represents Italian heritage and accomplishments.
The Christoforo Colombo Society in Niagara Falls celebrates Columbus Day each year by acknowledging local Italian-Americans for their service to the community.
"It supports Italian people,” said Ernest Lucantonio, president of the Cristoforo Colombo Society. “Columbus Day [is about recognizing] the accomplishments and successes of the Italian people. It's not just Columbus we're talking about."
On September 21, the Niagara Wheatfield School Board voted unanimously to approve the name change of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. The decision was made after hearing a presentation from the Native American Club and Student Council representatives.
Lucantonio disagrees with that decision, and the backlash Columbus Day has faced in recent years.
"Indigenous Day, if you want to celebrate it, we're more than happy to be a part of it,” said Lucantonio. “We're very disappointed that you took a federal holiday and you changed the name."
In Buffalo's Prospect Park, where a statue of Christopher Columbus stands, some say they understand both sides of the controversy.
"It's not bad to remember Christopher Columbus, the discovery of the New World was a world changing event,” said Buffalo resident Martin Gugino. “Rather than looking at the past, let's look to the present and see some of the ongoing continuing damage done to populations.”
The Cristoforo Colombo Society was started in 1903 by Italian immigrants. The group's annual Columbus Day dinner will be held October 15.