The Italian American One Voice Coalition (“IAOVC”), America’s largest independent Italian American anti-bias organization, is joining with dozens of Italian American organizations at an Italian American Civil Rights press conference to denounce New York City Department of Education’s (“NYC DOE”) elimination of Columbus Day. The event is slated for Wednesday, May 12 at 11 AM at Columbus Circle in Manhattan.

“The arbitrary and capricious decision to remove Columbus Day from the NYC school calendar in a cloak and dagger fashion, denigrates Italian American school children and can not be tolerated,” stated Dr. Manny Alfano, Founder and President of IAOVC. “The NYC DOE decision violates the spirit of diversity and inclusion. Our organizations are united and will stand shoulder to shoulder with NYC parents and students to ensure their civil rights are respected."