Indigenous communities and some Italian groups argue against using Columbus Day to celebrate Italian heritage. Despite Chicago Public Schools' official endorsement of Indigenous Peoples Day, other city, county, and state entities continue to observe Columbus Day as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. The American Indian Center's interim director, Arlene Duncan, criticizes this contrast as a disregard of Indigenous history and an understatement of the trauma inflicted on Indigenous peoples.
The dilemma of how, to honor Italian heritage without focusing on Columbus and its controversial effects elicits complex reactions. Gabriel Piemonte, the founder of Italian American Heritage Society of Chicago, suggests non-controversial alternatives such as immigrant monuments, financial support for Italian businesses, and assistance for poor elderly Italian Americans in the city according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Efforts at effecting change persist, but progress is stunted. Chicago's Board of Education switched from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019 as NBC Chicago reports. On a national scale, President Joe Biden recognized Indigenous Peoples Day officially in 2021, and further acknowledgment came from states, cities, and school districts across the country as reported by NBC Chicago. However, Columbus Day's presence remains due, largely to lobbying by Italian American groups such as the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA).
Concerned citizens, including Piemonte, request decisive actions from Mayor Brandon Johnson and the city to address JCCIA on the matter of the Columbus statues. Piemonte suggest that Mayor Johnson stands firm on the issue by banning the statues' return and the destruction of their pedestals in Grant Park according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
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