Murray is in support of the legislation, and it seems likely that it will pass. Councilmember Bruce Harrell, who proposed the idea in partnership with fellow councilmember Kashama Sawant, wanted more cameras and attention when the decision was made, The Seattle Times reported.
“You see one camera here,” Harrell said, according to the paper. “I want 20 cameras here. I want the whole city to understand why we’re doing this.”
At the initial hearing, there were a few naysayers — mainly Italian Americans who said Columbus’ role is important to their heritage. But any good Columbus did was overshadowed by a slew of bad that directly affected the Native people who had already made their home on this land.
Whether Columbus should be credited with the discovery of the Americas is not what’s at stake here. Instead of celebrating a man who was responsible for death by murder, captivity and disease, let’s choose to celebrate those First People who have a rich history that is not celebrated or recognized often enough. Other cities have already made the choice to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and it’s time for Seattle to join them.