Joe Diamond and Anjali Rajput, co-chairs of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

In May of 2023, after a thorough and inclusive three-year process involving Town Meeting, the Select Board, and interaction with town residents, Westford voters approved a ballot question establishing Indigenous Peoples Day as the only holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October, superseding Columbus Day.

We urge town meeting members to vote against Article 22 at the March 23 Town Meeting which would cause Columbus Day to be recognized on the second Monday of October along with Indigenous Peoples Day. Article 22 should not pass on March 23 because it ignores the town-wide ballot question vote taken last May (which was also recounted) and it ignores the will of the voters.

Further, adding Columbus Day back to the Second Monday of October would be offensive to indigenous people. Columbus was a part of the age of exploration which resulted in tragedy for indigenous people in the Americas for centuries including in the United States. The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day is part of a growing recognition in Massachusetts and across the country that indigenous people suffered for centuries in this country and that understanding their history and embracing their cultural is an important step toward the overall reckoning regarding intolerance this country and state are engaged in.

With the approval of Indigenous Peoples Day, Westford joined 20 other cities and towns in Massachusetts that have done the same including: Amherst, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Easthampton, Falmouth, Great Barrington, Holyoke, Marblehead, Mashpee, Maynard, Melrose, Newton, Northampton, Provincetown, Salem, Somerville, and Wellesley. It is important to note that legislation pending in Massachusetts would do that same and would follow the example of Maine, Vermont, New Mexico, Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Dakota

That said, we understand that some residents of Westford maintain a strong connection to Columbus and associate him with Italian American heritage and culture. October is recognized nationally and in Massachusetts as Italian American Heritage month which is supported by Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day (https://italiansforipd.org) and Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.

In the spirit of Italian American Heritage month, following up on a recommendation by Select Board member Chris Barrett at a recent Select Board meeting, and recognizing the important contribution to this country and state made by Italian Americans, we will offer a friendly amendment to Town Meeting that would establish the Second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day and Italian American Heritage Day.

We urge Town Meeting members to vote against Article 22 and approve a measure to make the Second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day and Italian American Heritage Day, reinforcing and celebrating Westford’s character as a welcoming community that embraces diversity, promotes equity, practices inclusion, and fosters belonging for all residents.

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