{"id":408,"date":"2022-10-24T20:45:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T20:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clients.elainemichele.com\/SPC2022\/?post_type=noon&p=408"},"modified":"2022-11-13T13:57:22","modified_gmt":"2022-11-13T18:57:22","slug":"replace-columbus","status":"publish","type":"noon","link":"https:\/\/clients.elainemichele.com\/SPC2022\/noon\/home\/campaigns\/replace-columbus\/","title":{"rendered":"Replace Columbus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Celebrate<\/a>
Lawn Signs Available at Syracuse Cultural Workers<\/a>, 400 Lodi St., Syracuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Judge Neri Denies Syracuse the Right to Remove the Columbus State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 11 – the 17th anniversary of the Onondaga Nation’s filing of its historic Land Rights Action – Judge Neri released his decision prohibiting the City of Syracuse from removing the Columbus statue in the center of our city. The City has already filed an appeal of the Judge’s decision. NOON is outraged by this additional injustice heaped upon the people of Syracuse and our Onondaga neighbors.  We will continue to campaign actively for the removal of the statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 75 people attended a vigil organized by NOON and WISH on March 14 at the site of the Columbus Statue to express our opposition to this slap in the face to our city. Look for more action items coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read Judge Neri’s tortured logic in supporting the Columbus Monument Corporation here<\/a>. And here is the City’s Appeal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Columbus Court Case awaiting decision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, morning January 13, 2022, Judge Gerard Neri heard arguments from the City of Syracuse and the Columbus Monument Corporation regarding the lawsuit brought by the Corp. seeking to prevent the city of Syracuse from removing the Columbus Statue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 30 supporters of Replace Columbus vigiled outside the courthouse with a banner reading: \u201cColumbus Didn’t Discover Anything \u2013 1000s of Native Nations Were Already Here\u201d, signs saying \u201cCelebrate Diversity, Replace Columbus\u201d and more. The vigil and news conference were organized by NOON and WISH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some media reports: WAER Radio<\/a>, WRVO<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Neri had previously prevented the Onondaga Nation from filing an Amicus (friend of the court) Brief. Adding to the long history of US courts disregarding Indigenous voices. After the vigil as we tried to enter the courtroom, the court officers continued the practice of prioritizing the Italian American pro-Columbus crew by inviting in anyone associated with (the Petitioners on the lawsuit were invited first, then others associated with the Columbus Monument Corporation before allowing \u2018guests\u2019 to enter the courtroom. As a result, almost none of the members of NOON or WISH who attended were able to be in the courtroom itself. Instead, we were sent to overflow rooms where the sound was nearly impossible to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Neri continued to demonstrate what appeared to be sympathy with the pro-Columbus folks through his persistent questioning of the lawyer for the City of Syracuse and his very cordial relationship with the lawyer for the Corporation. The judge made no decision at the end of the hearing and gave no indication of the timeframe for releasing his decision. In either case, it’s likely his decision will be appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOON and WISH are organizing two online workshops in March to give the public an opportunity to hear the input that the Onondaga Nation was prevented from providing to the Court and why public monuments are important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawn signs still available!!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Syracuse Cultural Workers, 400 Lodi St., Syracuse map <\/a>– Mon-Fri. 9:15 am to 4:45 pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For additional pick up or delivery options, email Sue Eiholzer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>There is no charge for signs, but donations are warmly welcomed to cover the costs. You can donate securely online here<\/a>, when you pick up signs or send a check to NOON, 2013 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of a broad public relations campaign, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, in collaboration with Women of Italian and Syracuse Heritage, is distributing the lawn signs above in the greater Syracuse area. We also have an <\/a>FAQ on Columbus Statue Removal from the Circle.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOON believes that the Columbus Statue should be removed from the center of our diverse city and replaced with a broader cultural heritage display which honors not only the Italian Immigrants who erected the monument, but all the varied peoples and cultures who have contributed to the richness of our region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we respect the effort and sacrifice of working class Italian-Americans in funding the statue during the 1920s and 30s, as more has been learned about Columbus’ role in the attempted destruction of Native peoples – both through his personal actions and his legacy – it is time for a new vision in the heart of downtown Syracuse, a proudly diverse city, which sits within original territory of the Onondaga people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buttons and window signs are now available too!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find them at:Syracuse Cultural Workers, 9:30-4:00, 400 Lodi St, Syracuse, NY 13203;  Syracuse Peace Council, 2013 E, Genesee St, contacting carol@peacecouncil.net<\/a>. For a personal delivery, contact carol@peacecouncil.net<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download and print the window signs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n