Two important Denver I-A leaders differ in dealing with Columbus Day Parade.

C.M. Mangiaracina said Tuesday he would drop Columbus' name from the parade 
in exchange for the creation of a citywide Italian-American History Month. 

George  Vendegnia, a founder of the Sons of Italy New Generation Lodge No. 270 
on the other hand states "The calendar says Columbus Day. That's what we want.'' 

City officials are considering Vendegnia's application for a separate parade 
on Columbus Day.

Good luck to both of them. 
=======================================================
COMPROMISE OFFERED FOR COLUMBUS DAY

The Associated Press
August 29, 2001

DENVER (AP) - The man who holds the permit for the city's Columbus Day parade 
has offered a compromise that could appease American Indian and Hispanic 
activists opposed to the event. 

C.M. Mangiaracina said Tuesday he would drop Columbus' name from the parade 
in exchange for the creation of a citywide Italian-American History Month. 

``You want to take something from me?'' he said. ``Well, give me something in 
return.'' 

Mayor Wellington Webb has the power to make such a proclamation. He has 
planned meetings with Mangiaracina but has not commented on the suggestion. 

Italian-American groups in New York and in San Francisco have removed 
Columbus from the name of their events, but still refer to the explorer in 
their parades. 

Latina activist Nita Gonzalez, who has been involved in negotiations over the 
Denver parade's name, and Glenn Morris of the American Indian Movement said 
they would not object to a celebration of Italian heritage. 

During last year's Oct. 8 parade, demonstrators who view Columbus as a 
genocidal killer spilled red liquid on the parade route and blocked it; 147 
were arrested for misdemeanors but most charges were dismissed. 

That was the first parade since 1991, when violent clashes forced 
cancellation of the event. 

Mangiaracina wound up with the permit after Italian-Americans staged a 
34-day, round-the-clock vigil at city offices to ensure they would be first 
in line to get a parade permit for Columbus Day, the federal holiday observed 
on the second Monday in October. 

Some Italian-Americans already are upset that the current parade permit 
reads: ``Columbus Day Italian Pride Parade'' rather than just Columbus Day. 

``The calendar says Columbus Day. That's what we want,'' said George 
Vendegnia, a founder of the Sons of Italy New Generation Lodge No. 270. 

City officials are considering Vendegnia's application for a separate parade 
on Columbus Day.