Other Cities Changed The Name, But Philadelphians Celebrate Columbus Day With Parade
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - While two American cities, Minneapolis and Seattle, have decided to remove Christopher Columbus' name from the holiday, Philadelphia is sticking with tradition, and there was a parade in South Philadelphia Sunday to celebrate.
Spectators lined South Broad Street as they do every year to hear sting bands play traditional Italian music and to celebrate the historic voyage of 1492.
"Christopher Columbus was a great man. Without him, we wouldn't have the country as we know it. We're here to celebrate our heritage and to honor Christopher Columbus," Judge Angelo Foglietta tells KYW Newsradio.
Foglietta says he is appalled that other cities are calling the holiday "Indigenous People's Day:"
"I think it's a disgrace. It's a slap in the face to Italian-Americans, I think."
Most acknowledge that Columbus wasn't the first person to see America, but Doctor Anthony Colavita believes the country wouldn't be the same today if it weren't for Columbus:
"The native population might resent that, but still it's a big discovery to bring it out to the whole world because otherwise the world would have never known there was an America."
Most agree it's right to honor Native Americans who were already here when Columbus arrived, but they don't want to see his name removed from the holiday.
