HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-14 Item 11 - Written Communications - Christopher Columbus Statue 1 support, 14 oppose - Received after publication Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Thursday,July 09, 2020 4:59 PM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Do the right thing and permanently remove the Christopher Columbus Statue
From: Alberto Pulido [ ]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2020 4:43 PM
To: Mary Salas; Jill Galvez; John McCann; Steve C. Padilla
Subject: Do the right thing and permanently remove the Christopher Columbus Statue
Warning:
External
Email Dear Chula Vista City Council:
I am in full support of the removal of the Christopher Columbus
statue from Discovery Park and ask that the City Council fully ratify
the resolution put forth by the Human Relations Commission.
Public places and monuments should mirror and fully embrace the
spirit and culture of the people of the community in which they are
located. Hence, the question becomes how can a Columbus
monument that symbolizes enslavement and genocide of first
nation people remain in the integral and diverse community that
stands on its principle of offering its residents "Beautiful Vistas" or
Chula Vistas? Such monuments are in direct opposition to the vision
and spirit of Chula Vista's residents and city leaders.
As a lifelong resident of San Diego who grew up in the South Bay,
our indigenous and borderland/fronterizo cultures consist of a
profound and respectful history that remain strong without the
need of being "discovered" as conveyed in park's name. I urge the
City Council to recognize and honor these foundational traditions of
Chula Vista's character and identity.
Let's honor and stand on the history and traditions of our
Indegnious communities and permanently remove the Columbus
statue along with a renaming of the park that honors our first
nation communities.
Make us all proud City Council by doing the right thing!
Sincerely,
Alberto Pulido, PhD
Alberto L6pez Pulido
Professor of Ethnic Studies
Director of Turning Wheel Project
University of San Diego
ProfeL6pezPulido
"God is always on the side of the oppressed."
Black Pastors on the Steps of St. John Church- 06.02.20
• Turning Wheel Project: https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/ethnic-studies/turning-wheel/
• Chicano Park Museum: Logan Heights Documentation Project: Museum
• The Power of Chicano Park: Profe@ThePark
z
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Thursday,July 09, 2020 10:18 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Permanently Remove the Christopher Columbus Statue from Discovery Park
From: Julia Medina ]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2020 10:10 AM
To: Mary Salas; Jill Galvez; John McCann; Steve C. Padilla; Mike Diaz; kanapkuahan@gmail.com
Subject: Permanently Remove the Christopher Columbus Statue from Discovery Park
Warning:
External
Email
Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I appreciate and commend you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Discovery Park, and ask
that the city council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the Chula Vista Human Relations
Commission about this in February.
The time is past due for Chula Vista to do what is right and what our times demand. We all now know the truth
about Columbus as a symbol violence, racism and genocide, on top of the fact that he didn't even know where
he ever went. Any statues and symbols of racism cause great emotional and physical harm to Native Peoples as
well as to members of African-American, Mexican, Chicano, Latin American, and other Persons of Color.
Removing the statue of Christopher Columbus is not erasing history; it is correcting it and showing willingness
to move towards healing, unity and moving forward as a community.
I urge you to permanently remove the statue to Columbus, re-name"Discovery" Park, and recognize Indigenous
Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. Our historical juncture and the geographical location demands it!
Sincerely,
[Julia Medina]
Julia M. Medina Ph D
Associate Professor of Spanish
Department of Languages, Cultures, and Literatures
Affiliated Faculty, Latin American Studies Program
University of San Diego
i
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Wednesday,July 08, 2020 3:04 PM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Removal of Columbus Statue
From: Sheryl Sanchez [ ]
Sent:Wednesday,July 08, 2020 2:57 PM
To: Mary Salas;Jill Galvez;John McCann; Steve C. Padilla; Mike Diaz
Subject: Removal of Columbus Statue
Warning: External Email
Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I thank and applaud you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Discovery Park,and ask that the
city council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission about
this issue in February.
As a resident of Chula Vista since 1960, I have witnessed many changes in our community over the decades. I love
our city! Yet I was horrified to learn last year that there was a statue of Columbus in one of our parks. This offends
me on so many levels,especially since we know the truth about what kind of person he really was and what he did.
As a designated Welcoming City there is no place for statues or symbols of racism and the emotional and physical
harm they cause,especially to Native Peoples and other Persons of Color.
This is not about erasing history; it is about correcting it. A public park should only contain statues or symbols that
truly reflect the actual history and diversity of this area.
I urge you to permanently remove the statue to Columbus,re-name"Discovery" Park,and recognize Indigenous
Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Sanchez
>
(
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Wednesday,July 08, 2020 5:54 PM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Letter to Support Resolution to Remove Columbus Statue
From: Angel Hinzo [ ]
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2020 5:34 PM
To: Mary Salas; John McCann; Jill Galvez; Steve C. Padilla; Mike Diaz
Cc: kanapkuahan@gmail.com
Subject: Letter to Support Resolution to Remove Columbus Statue
Warning:
External Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
Email
I am writing in support of the city council resolution that was raised by the Chula Vista Human Relations
Commission in February. Through this resolution, the statue of Christopher Columbus will remain removed
from Discovery Park,replaced, the park renamed, and Indigenous People's Day will be instituted within the
City of Chula Vista.
By instituting Indigenous People's Day, the city will be joining Los Angeles, Berkeley, Burbank, Long Beach,
Santa Cruz, San Fernando, San Luis Obispo, and Watsonville within California. The County of San Diego has
the highest concentration of reservations in the United States and the third highest number of urban Native
Americans in the state (census.gov).
Despite this,many areas within San Diego render Native American people invisible and are unwelcoming. We
are living in an important moment in history where we can make meaningful changes for future generations. We
can take steps to reconcile histories and change symbols that are designed to exclude and valorize violence.
This is an opportunity to educate and show a commitment to all who call this area home.
Sincerely,
Angel M. Hinzo (Assistant Professor, University of San Diego)
i
Sheree Kansas
From: Francisco Estrada on behalf of Mary Salas
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2020 11:17 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Removal of Statue
From:Stevon Curry< >
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 10:31 AM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;John McCann<jmccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez
<jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla<spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Cc: kanapkuahan@gmail.com
Subject: Removal of Statue
Warning:
External Hello,
Email
I would like to vote "YES" on the removal of the Columbus statue and to change the Discovery Park.As a longtime
basketball coach in the Chula Vista area, I beleive the removal of the statue and change of the Discovery Park is a major
step in combating oppression and racism.
Best Regards
Dean Curry
Boys Basketball
(
Virus-free. www.avast.com
1
Sheree Kansas
From: Francisco Estrada on behalf of Mary Salas
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 11:17 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Resolution on Columbus
From: Don Dumas< >
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 10:24 AM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;John McCann<jmccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez
<jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla<spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Cc:
Subject: Resolution on Columbus
Warning:
External Hello Mayor Salas and Councilmembers Diaz, Galvez, McCann, and Padilla,
Email
My name is Don Dumas and I am a longtime resident and taxpayer in our great City of Chula Vista. I am also a history
teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
I understand that you will soon be asked to vote on a resolution that will permanently remove the statue of Christopher
Columbus from Discovery Park,change the name of the park, as well as other things.
I am asking you all to vote a resounding "Yes!"to this resolution. Passing the resolution unanimously would send a
strong message about the future of our community and what we value.
I need not weigh the accomplishments of Columbus against his misdeeds (to put it mildly), but the obvious reason I want
you to vote "yes" on the resolution is because it will help to heal the wounds of colonization on our Indigenous
community members.
Thank you and have a great day.And thank you for all that you do for our city.
Respectfully,
Don Dumas
1
Sheree Kansas
From: Francisco Estrada on behalf of Mary Salas
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 11:17 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Permanently Removing the Columbus Statue and Changing Discovery Park
From: B. Casiple< >
Sent: Monday,July 06,2020 10:23 AM
To:John McCann <jmccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez<jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz
<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>; Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla <spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: Permanently Removing the Columbus Statue and Changing Discovery Park
Warning:
External Hello,
Email
My name is Brandon Casiple, a resident here in the city of Chula Vista. I wanted to send this email to encourage you all
to vote "Yes" on the resolution to permanently remove the Columbus statue and change the name of Discovery Park. I
believe that this change will be a great step towards building community by making space to celebrate the beautiful
diversity in the city.
Thank you,
Brandon Casiple
1
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2020 3:40 PM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Remove Columbus and change Discovery Park
From: Cevallos, Nicolas [ ]
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 3:13 PM
To:Jill Galvez; Mary Salas; Mike Diaz
Subject: Remove Columbus and change Discovery Park
Warning: External Email
Good afternoon,
I am asking you to vote yes to support the resolution removing the statue of Christopher Columbus and instead to
honor Indigenous people. I know removing the statue and changing the name will not fix every problem,but it is a
step in the right direction for our city.We can use this opportunity to recognize indigenous populations,not an
oppressive and hegemonic murderer,thief,and slave trader.
Best,
Nicolas Cevallos
MD Candidate,Class of 2024
UCSF School of Medicine
1
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Monday,July 06, 2020 3:41 PM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW: Discovery park
From: Isa [
Sent: Monday,July 06, 202012:17 PM
To: Mary Salas;John McCann; Jill Galvez; Steve C. Padilla; Mike Diaz
Cc:kanapkuahan@gmail.com
Subject: Discovery park
Warning: External Email
Hello,my name is Isabella Sandoval, I have lived in Chula Vista for the past 18 years and just graduated from
Olympian High School and making my way to Phoenix AZ to study sociology,social work and Spanish.This city has
always held such importance to me and its important to me that the city I've lived in for the past 18 years reflects
what is important to me and thus amplify the pride I hold for Chula Vista.
The chula vista human relations commission developed a resolution to permanently remove the statue of
Christopher Columbus at Discovery park and replace with something that values our community's diversity.The
resolution also would like to rename the park itself,and for our city of Chula Vista to rename Columbus Day and
declare it"Indigenous People's Day." Lastly,the resolution asks the city to establish a task force that includes
Indigenous people as embers in order to help implement above changes.
It is extremely important to me and fellow residents in Chula Vista that you vote yes on the resolution to
remove Columbus and change discovery park,there is no need to commemorate such an evil disgusting figure in
our city.Thank you.
Isabella Sandoval
1
Sheree Kansas
From: Mary Salas
Sent: Tuesday,July 07, 2020 11:05 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: FW:The removal of the Columbus statue
From: Brittney Kuhn [ ]
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2020 10:39 AM
To: kanapkuahan@gmail.com; Mary Salas; John McCann; Jill Galvez; Steve C. Padilla; Mike Diaz
Subject: The removal of the Columbus statue
Warning:
External To Whom It May Concern:
Email
I would like to vote "Yes" on the resolution to remove the Columbus statue and change Discovery Park. Removing
this statue does not erase history, it puts our community on the right side of history. We need to tell the truth of our
country's history and not glorify the men who destroyed an already occupied land. There are far better statues to
erect than Christopher Columbus.
Kindly,
Brittney Suber
i
Sheree Kansas
Subject: FW: Christopher Columbus Statue
From:Grace Sardina < >
Sent: Friday,July 10, 2020 4:30 PM
To:CityClerk<CityClerk@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject:Christopher Columbus Statue
Warning:
External Christopher Columbus is one of history's greatest explorers, an iconic symbol of Italian American
Email pride and now in recent times, a horrific villain. These are sad times for Italian Americans. Our
once hero is now being literally torn to the ground, ripped to shreds and erased from our great
history. The statue that once stood in discovery park is now sadly sitting in storage. Most of society has no
idea what Columbus Day actually stood for, why or when it was created and why its removal is so
heartbreaking for our community.
Many indigenous groups saw no reason to celebrate Columbus. With good reason. The indigenous people
suffered greatly. Their land was taken. Their people were exposed to diseases that decimated
populations. Their way of life was destroyed.
All of that is true. However, we are applying 20th Century morals to a 15th Century man. Columbus was an
adventurer and businessman looking for gold and riches. The slave trade was common. While we look back
today in horror, we cannot lose fact that it was a different world.
The atrocities committed after the colonization of the Americas after Columbus were committed by the
European nations. England, Spain, Portugal and France sent explorers and claimed their own pieces of this
paradise of riches. The indigenous suffered for it all with the approval of the Pope and the Catholic church. As
our country was formed and independence won from England, the US perpetuated their own genocide and
destruction of the indigenous people.
Yet, people want to blame Christopher Columbus.
Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage. In 1892, following a lynching in New
Orleans where a mob had murdered 11 Italian immigrants, President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus
Day as a national celebration. The proclamation was part of a wider effort after the lynching incident to placate
Italian Americans and ease diplomatic tensions with Italy.
Because Italian-Americans were struggling against religious and ethnic discrimination in the United States,
celebrating the life and accomplishments of Christopher Columbus as a way for Italian Americans to be
accepted by the mainstream. As historian Christopher J. Kauffman once wrote, "Italian Americans grounded
legitimacy in a pluralistic society by focusing on the Genoese explorer as a central figure in their sense of
peoplehood."
In 1937, Columbus Day became a holiday across the United States. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the
second Monday in October. Italian Americans have faced many battles, harsh treatment and discrimination
even to this very day. The rise of Columbus celebrations gave the Italian immigrants a way to finally fit in, a
way to show they too have a place in this country. Throughout all of the years of countless backlash,
discussions and changes, Columbus Day remained a celebration of Italian-American pride. Well, until
recently.
I personally wish that all historical statues and monuments would remain in place. The good, the bad and the
ugly is part of every country's history. As an American, I am grateful Columbus took his brave voyage. That
historic event began the process of over 500 years of worldwide immigration to America. As an Italian
American, I am proud of the celebration that was created to celebrate our culture. That celebration still
deserves its place in the United States of America with or without Columbus and THAT is what we are fighting
for.
Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous people's day is insulting and degrading to our Italian ancestors that
fought for us to be here. We no longer need Columbus as our Ambassador. We have risen above the hate,
the discrimination, the hardship and fought to be proud Americans. A day that was created to celebrate
Italian American heritage should remain just that. The second Monday of October should remain OUR day
of celebration. You can remove statues but you cannot take away our accomplishments, our contributions and
our celebrations. Italian Americans matter in this country and in this community as much as any other
group. Just to remind everyone Indigenous peoples day is August 9th.
Native American day is November 27th.
Native American culture month is in November.
If Columbus Day is to be changed, it should remain Italian Heritage Day!
At the end of the day, we are all Americans. We can not change the past but we can write the future. Our
Italian community does not wish to cause any further hurt or turmoil with the indigenous community. We do
not want our statue of pride in a place that causes conflict. We would like the statue to be given to the
Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. We are one of largest National Italian American organizations
in the country and have two lodges here in San Diego.
Please, show us the same respect that we have shown you and do not change our day of celebration. In
October, raise the Italian flag to show respect. Just as you would the LGBTQ Pride Flag, Mexican Flag, Black
Lives Matter. We too matter and want the same recognition as any other group.
We will place the statue on private property, out of harm's way and put in Italian American historical museums
for the future generations to learn what Columbus meant to Italian Americans for so long and our fight to
become the proud Americans we are today.
Grace Sardina
2
Sheree Kansas
Subject: FW: I thank you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus . PLEASE MAKE IT
PERMANENT!
From: Mario E. Aguilar [ ]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 8:11 AM
To: Adrianna Hernandez
Subject: Re: I thank you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus . PLEASE MAKE IT PERMANENT!
Warning:
External
Email Would you like your comment to be submitted in the record for the item on 9/22 and/or
would you like your comment to be submitted under today's public comment portion?
YES TO BOTH,PLEASE.
On 7/14/2020 6:27 AM, Adrianna Hernandez wrote:
Dear Mr.Aguilar:
I hope you and your family are doing well and keeping safe.Thank you for your email to Mayor Mary
Casillas Salas regarding the Christopher Columbus statue and Discovery Park.This item has been moved
and will now be considered on September 22, 2020.
Would you like your comment to be submitted in the record for the item on 9/22 and/or would you like
your comment to be submitted under today's public comment portion?
Public comment is a portion of the City Council agenda where members of the public can submit their
comments to the Council on any item that is not on the agenda.
Thank you and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Adrianna Hernandez
Sr. Council Aide I Office of the Mayor & City Council
City of Chula Vista 1 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 691-5175 1 ADHernandezC@chulavistaca.gov
Follow us on Facebook. Twitter, and sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay
connected here!
From: Mario E.Aguilar< >
Sent:Saturday,July 11, 2020 12:18 PM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;John McCann<Imccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez
<imgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla <spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz
<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: I thank you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus . PLEASE MAKE IT PERMANENT!
1
Warning:
External Saturday, July 11, 2020
Email
Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I thank and applaud you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Discovery Park,
and ask that the city council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the Chula Vista
Human Relations Commission about this in February. I am a taxpayer, voter and resident of
Chula Vista for over 40 years. I want our city to be truly welcoming for all. PLEASE MAKE THE
REMOVAL PERMANENT!
The time is past due for Chula Vista to truly live up to its name as a Welcoming City. We now
know the truth about Columbus. It is known that statues and symbols of racism cause great
emotional and physical harm to Native Peoples as well as to members of African-American,
Mexican and Chicano, and other Persons of Color. When we know better, we do better.
Removing the statue of Christopher Columbus is not erasing history; it is correcting it.
Recent public demonstrations decrying overt racism in policing sparked by the most recent murder of a
Black man,the execution of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, has resulted in worldwide expression
of support and the need to change America—that is, change the racist discriminatory practices of its
institutions.ALTHOUGH THESE PROTESTS FOCUS ON CURRENT RACIST POLICIES,THEY BRING UP A
PAINFUL REMINDER THAT FOR OVER 500 YEARS, RACE, COLOR AND ECONOMIC STATUS HAVE CREATED
A CLIMATE OF FEAR FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
The statue of Columbus at Discovery Park is another symbol of hate, racism, and genocide. It must be
removed. Across the nation, statues that symbolize hate are being removed as a direct result of the
pain and suffering caused by the George Floyd murder. Those include:
1. Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia is removing the statue of Robert E. Lee because this statue is"a
symbol of buying and selling of enslaved people" and has no place in civil society.
2. In Philadelphia the statue of Mayor Frank Rizzo,a former Police Chief and politician who implemented
flagrant racist policies and practices was removed in the middle of the night,after protestors vandalized
this statue of a controversial former mayor.
3. The statue of Edward Cornack,former U.S.Senator from Nashville,Tennessee has been removed. He
was an ardent opponent of Civil Rights.
4. The statue "Appomattox" commemorating confederate soldiers was removed in Alexandria,Virginia.
According to Mayor Justin Wilson, "Alexandria, like all great cities, is constantly changing and evolving."
5. Columbus statues and Junipero Serra statues have been removed throughout the United States of
America.
These are just a few of the most recent removals of racist symbols that cause pain and micro-
aggressions among residents. The statue of Columbus must be removed as a first step in removing
racists, painful symbols. Chula Vista is better than this. Let's make Chula Vista a great"welcoming"city.
THIS STATUE REPRESENTS THE SUFFERING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAN
CONTINENT. BUT IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF"GET OVER IT,WHAT DOES THIS
HAVE TO DO WITH CHULA VISTA?" IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE RESIDENTS OF OUR GREAT
CITY.
With great respect,
Dr. Mario E.Aguilar
.
2
91911-2215
I live for reasoned, enlightened spirituality:
"Tlacecelilli", tranquilidad, paz
Mario E. Aguilar, PhD
I live for reasoned, enlightened spirituality:
"Tlacecelilli", tranquilidad, paz
Mario E. Aguilar, PhD
3
Sheree Kansas
Subject: FW: Please make the Columbus Statue Removal permanent and ratify the resolution of
the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission
From:Andres Ehecatl< >
Sent: Monday,July 13, 2020 3:41 PM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez<imgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>;John McCann
<imccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Steve C. Padilla <spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: Please make the Columbus Statue Removal permanent and ratify the resolution of the Chula Vista Human
Relations Commission
Warning:
External
Email Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I was so glad to hear that the statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from public display and ask that city
council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission about
this in February. It is important that my beloved Chula Vista live up to its designation as a Welcoming City and
that the symbols we have on public display, do not celebrate ideologies of conquest, genocide, and racism.
I am a Chula Vista native,born and raised, attended Hazel Goes Cook Elementary, Hilltop Middle and High
Schools before leaving for university. I then returned to Chula Vista to raise my son in this wonderful city.
Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement: we must take down this symbol of erasure and rename the
park to reflect Chula Vista's local and actual history.
Statues,monuments, and the naming of public spaces and buildings do not teach history, they celebrate people
and moments that reflect the ideals of a community. The atrocities committed by Columbus and the ensuing
genocide and oppression of indigenous communities across the continent is not something that I believe that the
community of Chula Vista should exalt. History should be taught and the place for this nuanced learning is not
in monuments, but in schools.
Similarly, the naming of the park as "Discovery Park" erases the fact that Chula Vista is Kumeyaay land. Chula
Vista's history does not begin in 1492, and certainly not in Spain. It begins here, with the ancestors of the
Kumeyaay. To celebrate Columbus, is to celebrate Spanish, Mexican, and American colonization of this land
without regard or reckoning for the terrible impact it has had on the original inhabitants of this land. We are
lucky that we are able to live in this beautiful place—but it had its terrible price and this name and statue erase
this history.
i
Finally, I realize that Columbus is a hero to some. Firstly, Chula Vista should be welcoming to all not some.
Second, if Columbus is as a hero to a specific Church, our city and nation are secular with a separation of
church and state. That is, Columbus's significance to a church is not a reason to erase the history of genocide
and celebrate symbols of conquest, oppression, and white supremacy.
I thank you and applaud you for taking down this hurtful symbol from public space and ask that you ratify the
resolution by the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission.
Sincerely,
Andres E. Aguilar, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, SDSU
i
Sheree Kansas
Subject: FW: Permanent Removal of Christopher Columbus
Attachments: Letter- Chula Vista Mayor and Council.pdf
-----Original Message-----
From: Rachael< >
Sent: Monday,July 13, 2020 12:57 PM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez<jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; John McCann
<jmccann@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla<spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz <mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: Permanent Removal of Christopher Columbus
Warning: External Email
Dear Mayor Salas and Council-members,
Please see my attached letter requesting that you "permanently" remove the statue of Christopher Columbus.
I am deeply committed to assist in this effort. Columbus is not a personality to be honored not in any way.
Thank you for reading my letter and please call if you have any questions.
Rachael Ortiz,Chula Vista Resident.
1
July 10, 2020
The Honorable Mary Salas, Mayor
City of Chula Vista
The Honorable Steve Padilla,Council-member
The Honorable Mike Diaz,Council-member
The Honorable Jill Galvez,Council-member
The Honorable John McCann,Council-member
Chula Vista City Hall
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista,CA 91910
Re: Request to"permanently" remove the statue of Christopher Columbus
I am a resident of Chula Vista who is astounded at learning that a "Discovery" Park is associated with
Christopher Columbus implying that he discovered this continent when all the while we were here first
and will always be here,despite the atrocities that Columbus practiced in his monstrous efforts to
extinguish us. Christopher Columbus is described as a perverse madman who raped,pillaged and flat-
out lied about his murders and other horrendous acts against the indigenous Indians of the Caribbean.
In his own journal he wrote that the unsuspecting Indians willingly traded cotton balls, beautiful exotic
parrots,and more but Columbus was about Blood for Gold! He returned to Spain with captured slaves
of which 200 died while en route,and came back with 17 ships and 1,200 murdering criminals and
sliced, beheaded, burned alive and raped,spread venereal diseases and sicknesses and chopped off the
hands of Indians who failed to bring in a certain amounts of gold every 3 months. Many of these Indians
were only 14 years of age.
i
He committed kidnap,took hostages and went into the slave trade by selling Indians to the Spaniards
and killed members of families, including children, in the sight of those familial relatives. He sexually
ravaged hostages, killed and mangled and destroyed tribes and found deranged pleasure in doing so.
i
He is not worthy of your consideration to"honor" him as many statues and amenities that bear his
name will continue to tumble down throughout this land beyond. Please join the recommendations of
the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission of February 27,2020 and remove the statue permanently. I
am familiar with the KANAP HUAHAN COALITION comprised of Mexican Americans and Kumeyaay
peoples. They are brave and highly respected leaders of our indigenous communities. I honor them and
support their efforts including them to officially rename the replacement of the statue and perhaps the
park,since no one really discovered us and it was we who discovered and respected the healing power
of food and herbs and clean water and all that Mother Earth provided. The monumental discovery by
Europeans was that the world was not flat after all.
Thank you,
Rachael Ortiz, Resident
i
Sheree Kansas
Subject: FW: I thank you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus . PLEASE MAKE IT
PERMANENT!
Attachments: Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council.docx
From: Mario E.Aguilar< >
Sent:Saturday,July 11,2020 12:18 PM
To: Mary Salas<MSalas@chulavistaca.gov>;John McCann <imccann@chulavistaca.gov>;Jill Galvez
<imgalvez@chulavistaca.gov>; Steve C. Padilla<spadilla@chulavistaca.gov>; Mike Diaz<mdiaz@chulavistaca.gov>
Subject: I thank you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus . PLEASE MAKE IT PERMANENT!
Warning:
External Saturday,July 11, 2020
Email
Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I thank and applaud you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Discovery Park, and ask that
the city council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission
about this in February. I am a taxpayer, voter and resident of Chula Vista for over 40 years. I want our city to
be truly welcoming for all. PLEASE MAKE THE REMOVAL PERMANENT!
The time is past due for Chula Vista to truly live up to its name as a Welcoming City. We now know the truth
about Columbus. It is known that statues and symbols of racism cause great emotional and physical harm to
Native Peoples as well as to members of African-American, Mexican and Chicano, and other Persons of Color.
When we know better,we do better.
Removing the statue of Christopher Columbus is not erasing history; it is correcting it.
Recent public demonstrations decrying overt racism in policing sparked by the most recent murder of a Black man,the
execution of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, has resulted in worldwide expression of support and the need to change
America—that is,change the racist discriminatory practices of its institutions. ALTHOUGH THESE PROTESTS FOCUS
ON CURRENT RACIST POLICIES, THEY BRING UP A PAINFUL REMINDER THAT FOR OVER 500 YEARS,
RACE, COLOR AND ECONOMIC STATUS HAVE CREATED A CLIMATE OF FEAR FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
The statue of Columbus at Discovery Park is another symbol of hate, racism, and genocide. It must be removed. Across
the nation, statues that symbolize hate are being removed as a direct result of the pain and suffering caused by the George
Floyd murder. Those include:
1. Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia is removing the statue of Robert E. Lee because this statue is"a symbol of buying
and selling of enslaved people"and has no place in civil society.
2. In Philadelphia the statue of Mayor Frank Rizzo, a former Police Chief and politician who implemented flagrant racist
policies and practices was removed in the middle of the night, after protestors vandalized this statue of a controversial
former mayor.
3. The statue of Edward Corpack, former U.S. Senator from Nashville,Tennessee has been removed. He was an ardent
opponent of Civil Rights.
4. The statue"Appomattox"commemorating confederate soldiers was removed in Alexandria,Virginia.According to
Mayor Justin Wilson,"Alexandria, like all great cities,is constantly changing and evolving."
5. Columbus statues and Junipero Serra statues have been removed throughout the United States of America.
1
These are just a few of the most recent removals of racist symbols that cause pain and micro-aggressions among
residents. The statue of Columbus must be removed as a first step in removing racists,painful symbols. Chula Vista is
better than this. Let's make Chula Vista a great"welcoming"city.
THIS STATUE REPRESENTS THE SUFFERING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAN
CONTINENT.BUT IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF"GET OVER IT,WHAT DOES
THIS HAVE TO DO WITH CHULA VISTA?"IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE RESIDENTS OF OUR
GREAT CITY.
With great respect,
Dr.Mario E.Aguilar
I live for reasoned, enlightened spirituality:
"Tlacecelilli", tranquilidad, paz
Mario E. Aguilar, PhD
2
Saturday,July 11, 2020
Dear Members of the Chula Vista City Council:
I thank and applaud you for removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Discovery
Park,and ask that the city council ratify the resolution that was sent before you by the
Chula Vista Human Relations Commission about this in February. I am a taxpayer,voter
and resident of Chula Vista for over 40 years. I want our city to be truly welcoming for all.
PLEASE MAKE THE REMOVAL PERMANENT!
The time is past due for Chula Vista to truly live up to its name as a Welcoming City.We
now know the truth about Columbus. It is known that statues and symbols of racism cause
great emotional and physical harm to Native Peoples as well as to members of African-
American, Mexican and Chicano, and other Persons of Color.When we know better,we do
better.
Removing the statue of Christopher Columbus is not erasing history; it is correcting it.
Recent public demonstrations decrying overt racism in policing sparked by the most recent murder
of a Black man,the execution of George Floyd by Minneapolis police,has resulted in worldwide
expression of support and the need to change America—that is, change the racist discriminatory
practices of its institutions.ALTHOUGH THESE PROTESTS FOCUS ON CURRENT RACIST POLICIES,
THEY BRING UP A PAINFUL REMINDER THAT FOR OVER 500 YEARS, RACE,COLOR AND
ECONOMIC STATUS HAVE CREATED A CLIMATE OF FEAR FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
The statue of Columbus at Discovery Park is another symbol of hate,racism,and genocide. It must
be removed. Across the nation,statues that symbolize hate are being removed as a direct result of
the pain and suffering caused by the George Floyd murder. Those include:
1. Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia is removing the statue of Robert E. Lee because this
statue is"a symbol of buying and selling of enslaved people" and has no place in civil
society.
2. In Philadelphia the statue of Mayor Frank Rizzo,a former Police Chief and politician who
implemented flagrant racist policies and practices was removed in the middle of the night,
after protestors vandalized this statue of a controversial former mayor.
3. The statue of Edward Cornack,former U.S. Senator from Nashville,Tennessee has been
removed. He was an ardent opponent of Civil Rights.
4. The statue"Appomattox" commemorating confederate soldiers was removed in Alexandria,
Virginia.According to Mayor Justin Wilson,"Alexandria,like all great cities, is constantly
changing and evolving."
S. Columbus statues and Junipero Serra statues have been removed throughout the United
States of America.
These are just a few of the most recent removals of racist symbols that cause pain and micro-
aggressions among residents. The statue of Columbus must be removed as a first step in removing
racists,painful symbols.Chula Vista is better than this. Let's make Chula Vista a great"welcoming"
city.
THIS STATUE REPRESENTS THE SUFFERING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE
AMERICAN CONTINENT.BUT IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF"GET OVER
IT,WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH CHULA VISTA?" IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE
RESIDENTS OF OUR GREAT CITY.
With great respect,
Dr. Mario E.Aguilar