D.C. Columbus Day Ceremony Draws Supporters, Critics

The weather was perfect outside Union Station on Monday. You might say perfect sailing weather.

A crowd gathered to watch the annual and colorful salute to 1492 explorer Christopher Columbus, famous for sailing the ocean blue to find new lands mostly unknown in Europe at the time.

The Marine Corps Band took its traditional station next to the 1912 statue of Columbus that rises in the middle of Columbus Circle. The statue welcomes people as they come and go from Union Station.

The ceremony itself is highlighted by the Knights of Columbus, a national Catholic social group that long has promoted ceremonies and events honoring Columbus, who came from Italy before it was Italy (and was the independent state Genoa).

At the ceremony Monday, the Italian embassy began the laying of about two dozen wreaths recognizing the world travels of the explorer. Members of the crowd said the Pledge of Allegiance, and both the American and Italian national anthems were played.

But in the back of the sun-drenched crowd, a group of fewer than 10 people protested the ceremony.

"Celebrate Indigenous People," read one sign hand-printed on a large piece of cardboard. “How is this still a thing ???” read another.

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That second sign was held by protester Jack Hornickel, a young lawyer who said he had studied Indian and America law.

“I’m just trying to raise awareness of the other side of the conversation that’s often left out,” Hornickel said as he watched the official ceremony unfold. “I’m not an expert on the subject, but I feel that Columbus Day as a federal holiday is misplaced.”

Another protester at one point shouted, prompting a few uniformed police officers to move close by. There were no further incidents.

Columbus Day has been a federal holiday only since the mid-1930s. About half of the 50 states recognize it as a state holiday, including Maryland and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Proclamations on Columbus Day were read from both President Obama and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. In other jurisdictions, there have been successful moves to change Columbus Day to an observance of Native Americans.

The protesters present on Monday weren’t alone; the official ceremony offered a nod at Columbus' mixed history.

“And as we pay tribute to the ways in which Columbus pursued ambitious goals,” said one speaker, “we also recognize suffering inflicted upon the Native Americans.”

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