Last week, the world celebrated Indigenous People’s Day. In 1994, the United Nations designated Aug. 9, as an annual commemoration of the world’s indigenous people as a way to heighten awareness about challenges faced by Native communities worldwide and to inspire global leaders to protect their rights.
Indigenous people across the United States marked Monday with celebrations of their heritage, education campaigns and a push for the Biden administration to make good on its word.
The federal holiday created decades ago to recognize Christopher Columbus’ sighting in 1492 of what came to be known as the Americas increasingly has been rebranded as Indigenous Peoples Day.
Government offices and libraries throughout the Southland will be closed Monday in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, or Columbus Day.
State and federal courts will shut their doors Monday as well, and there will be no U.S. Mail delivery. Most banks are also expected to be closed. However, Los Angeles Unified School District schools will be open. Buses and subway services in both the city and county of Los Angeles will run
on a regular schedule, along with Metrolink trains. Stores, too, will be open as usual.
The motion has drawn opposition from many Italian-Americans who view Columbus Day as a celebration of their national heritage