Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Indigenous people rather than celebrating genocide.

Christopher Colombus wiped out nearly the entire Taino population. He should not be celebrated or made a hero because of the destruction he caused. Rather, the Taino people who still exist today, should be celebrated for their resilience, along with all other First Nations people. They have been through a tremendous amount of hardships at the hands of colonizers. They continue to have their lands stolen today, treaties disrespected, sacred places desecrated. Native women are disproportionately affected by all forms of violence and make up a significant number of homicide victims (most of the perpetrators are non-native). They are the minority most likely to experience police violence. Many indigenous communities are impoverished, with some tribes reporting unemployment rates of 85%. Reservations are among the poorest communities in the United States.

A few cities in Connecticut, such as New Haven, have changed Columbus day to Indigenous People’s Day. Newtown has yet to do this. To quote the New Haven proposal, "We have a responsibility to oppose the continuing systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples in the United States." Let's make the change.