Most of us here in the capital of Ohio think of our City as a clean, diverse, well-educated, progressive community of over a million persons, that reflects and supports diversity and contemporary American values. It's a great place to work, play, learn and raise a family.

Public awareness has risen dramatically over the past few years that the man for whom our city was named was in fact a reprehensible scoundrel, who engendered the torture and slaughter of those who sought to welcome a stranger, and set an appalling precedent of enslavement and exploitation at the onset of European migration to this continent.

We have tremendous pride in our city, and we should feel shame every time we hear the name of our home town associated with this historic monster. We believe that something can, and should, be done to rectify the situation.

This petition is being created to initiate a public dialogue for those who believe that Columbus, Ohio should be formally and legally renamed to forever dissociate the name of our home town from its namesake Christopher Columbus.

A more appropriate alternative should be proposed and selected by the community. We believe that with a concerted public effort that this can be achieved, and our city can demonstrate to the nation and the world that we are responsive to, and supportive of, contemporary American sensibilities.