A Red Light for Columbus
Damien Gregory reports on protests surrounding the explorer's quincentenary celebrations.
Nelson Mandela is the latest recruit to the movement opposing Columbus' quincentenary celebrations. He has given personal assurance to the International Indian Treaty Council that he will join the protest planning to greet the replica ships of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria when they sail into San Francisco Bay on October 12th, 1992 – marking the day Columbus landed in the Americas.
The presence of the leader of the ANC will no doubt have a counterbalancing effect on the seven years of planning and millions of dollars which have gone into the celebrations, increasing the impact of the Indian response against them.
Antonio Gomez, Information Director of the International Indian Treaty Council, outlines his organisation's position; 'We aim to bring to the world's attention what 1492 means to indigenous people: the beginning of the suppression of 50 million people. To celebrate the 500th anniversary is to perpetuate the lies and the myth, and is like asking the Jews to celebrate the Holocaust'.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
