Fans and Foes of Columbus Day Gather in Pueblo

Columbus Day in Pueblo is drawing supporters and those who oppose them.

A heavy police presence is on hand to keep the gatherings with opposing viewpoints peaceful.

The Pueblo Sons of Italy chapter organizes the celebration, bringing together others who want to celebrate Columbus as an icon of Italian heritage who helped discover the Americas.

Protesters with the Abolish Columbus Day Committee object to the celebrations, saying that the famed explorer stands for racism. They blame Columbus for the treatment of indigenous people.

The protests are taking place around a Columbus statue on Pueblo’s St. Charles Mesa that was built in 1905 and has kept this debate alive since.

This was the 113th celebration and 26th protest for Columbus Day in Pueblo.