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INTERNATIONAL CALL TO ALLIES TO
END COLUMBUS DAY RACISM
September, 2005
One hundred years ago this year, the state of Colorado
became the first state of the United States to declare an official holiday to
the slave-trading, Indian killer, Christopher Columbus. Since that time,
numerous states and the United States government have elevated Columbus to
national hero status.
Under Columbus’ administration in the Caribbean, millions
of indigenous people were killed. Columbus began the genocidal policies that led
to a hemispheric population collapse for indigenous peoples of 93-99%.
In the birthplace of the disgraceful Columbus Day holiday,
Colorado AIM calls on people of conscience around the world to stand in
solidarity with us in removing the destructive, colonial legacy of Columbus.
From communities in the U.S., we ask people of good will to
take the following actions:
- On the weekend of October 7-9, organize actions in your
own communities or states to educate the public about the true nature of
Columbus and the Columbus legacy (visit the Transform Columbus Day website for
supporting materials:
www.transformcolumbusday.org).
- Demand the repeal of Columbus Day as a local, state and
national holiday. This can be done through petitions, group lobbying efforts
at state legislatures and visits to the office of U.S. senators and
representatives. Insist on the unnaming of public places and streets to
Columbus and work to remove statues and monuments to Columbus.
- Work to ensure that the United States live up to its
treaty obligation with indigenous nations, and that the federal and state
governments cease the continuing theft of indigenous territories and natural
resources of such places as Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone), the He Sapa
(Lakota Nation) and in Alaska (Gwich’in Nation) (see TCD website for more
information on these struggles). Demand a new trial for Leonard Peltier.
- Form alliances with local or regional indigenous peoples
who are engaged in active struggle against colonialism and genocide (contact
Colorado AIM or TCD for contacts in your region).
- Never surrender to oppression, colonialism or genocide.
From our international allies, we call on you to take the
following actions:
- Organize local, national or regional rallies at U.S.
consulates or embassies on Saturday, October 8th or Monday, October
10th (the official national Columbus holiday in the U.S.).
- At these rallies, ask why the United States condones a
national celebration to Columbus – an international colonial murderer. Send
delegations to demand responses from U.S. officials about how the United
States can claim to champion human rights, and at the same time, celebrate the
man who began the genocide against indigenous peoples in the Americas.
- Express solidarity with indigenous peoples struggles in
the U.S. and around the world. Demand that the U.S. honor its treaty
obligations in the Black Hills, at Western Shoshone, freedom for Leonard
Peltier. Oppose policies of globalization from the U.S. that adversely effect
indigenous peoples in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil,
throughout the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
- Form solidarity groups with indigenous peoples in
struggle (see #3 above).
For all allies who answer this call, please email us
reports of your actions, so that we may post them on our website—and so that we
can facilitate greater communication and cooperation around these issues.
www.coloradoaim.org
denveraim@coloradoaim.org
www.transformcolumbusday.org
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