Demonstrators call for Boston to rename Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples Day

a first step, they said, toward recognizing the genocide of indigenous people and the theft of their lands that began with Columbus’ arrival.

 About 300 people rallied on Boston Common and participated in the march, saying the renaming of Monday’s holiday would be a meaningful symbolic gesture to address the pain caused to native people by years of public celebrations of Christopher Columbus as a hero.

 “Indigenous Peoples Day brings a positive message about indigenous survival and resilience in the face of genocidal actions directed against indigenous peoples since 1492,” said Mahtowin Munro, co-leader of United American Indians of New England and lead organizer of IndigenousPeoplesDayMA.org. “It’s a day to learn about and celebrate indigenous history and contemporary indigenous peoples and cultures. And it is just a first step for cities and town to begin to build relationships with indigenous people and begin to address the many injustices faced by indigenous people here in Boston and elsewhere. We are sick and tired of being largely ignored and erased.”

 Walsh did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday. But Kevin Caira, past state president of the Sons of Italy, agreed there should be an Indigenous Peoples Day — he just doesn’t think it should replace Columbus Day.

 “Columbus Day is more than an Italian-American holiday; it’s a celebration of one of the greatest navigators who first came to the Americas,” Caira said. “He shouldn’t be blamed for all the ills that have taken place since then, any more than we should credit him with all the good.”

 Several states, including Maine and Vermont, and numerous cities, including Cambridge, Somerville, Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore, Denver and the District of Columbia, all have declared Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s time, demonstrators said, for Boston to be next.

 “Declaring racism as a public health crisis means nothing without action,” said Mea Johnson, vice president of the North American Indian Center of Boston. “The bare minimum action required is to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day and remove all symbols of white supremacy from our neighborhoods, streets and parks.”

 The North End’s Christopher Columbus statue was beheaded in June and will not return to Christopher Columbus Park. A new statue celebrating Italian heritage will take its place, while the old one, once repaired, will be relocated to a new affordable housing development funded by the Massachusetts Knights of Columbus, Walsh announced last week.