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OCTOBER 4, 2000

Historians say Italian-Americans in Colorado have been subjected to one hundred years of ethnic and religious bigotry and some say that has led to problems dealing with the American Indian and Hispanic community.

Descendants of Colorado's first Italians plan to hold a Columbus Day parade on Saturday, October 7. The event hasn't been held since 1992, when a parade was abruptly cancelled on the day it was scheduled, due to threatened protests.

Italian-Americans originally agreed to not use the Columbus name in the parade. But they changed their mind last week.

According to historians, Italians use Christopher Columbus as a way to raise their self-image and stature in the city, where others viewed them unfavorably.

Native American and Hispanic activists are promising a peaceful protest on Saturday.

Get the Story:
Italians struggled for recognition (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 10/4)

Related Stories:
Protest expected at Columbus parade (The Talking Circle 10/3)
Columbus parade approved (The Talking Circle 10/2)
Colorado group to keep Columbus name (The Talking Circle 9/29)