USM senior Bethany Tremblay has organized a rally and protest against Columbus Day. She is the social-work intern for the Multicultural Student Affairs office and works with the organization to get the protest off the ground. She’s making moves, and we wanted to talk to her about them. Here’s what she told us.
FP: So, this is a part of your internship?
Bethany: There were many things my site had planned for me, but my supervisor, Keita Whitten, allowed me to engage in my own project as well.
FP: What is your goal for this event?
Bethany: My objective is to have Columbus Day removed as a federally recognized holiday in the state of Maine. Instead, let’s celebrate Native American Day. Maine would not be the first state to do this; we would be following South Dakota, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Colorado.
FP: Although USM should be a great place for political and social discussion, are you worried about criticism?
Bethany: I should state this now: the protest is strictly for educational purposes, it is not anti-Italian-American, it is only anti-celebrating Columbus. As a Maliseet, Native American woman, I cannot sit quietly as this holiday is celebrated year after year. First, Columbus did not discover anything, this land and the aboriginal people that occupied and took care of it were already here. Secondly, Columbus enslaved many of these aboriginal people and took them from their homes. Third, the colonization of this country began with him, which ultimately led to the genocide of the Native American people.
FP: You’re awfully bold.
Bethany: I think celebrating this holiday can be compared to celebrating a day for Hitler and Fascism in Germany.
FP: Wow. How is the event going to open people’s eyes?
Bethany: There will be influential speakers, for one. There will also be drumming by USM’s own “One Nation.” It begins at 1pm on Monday, October 8 on the green at Luther Bonney.
FP: What you’re doing could be monumental. Any last words?
Bethany: Please come and join us in the cause to remove Columbus Day in the state of Maine. I hope that students and the public can find it in their hearts to take part in our very peaceful and educational protest to end this ignorant and misleading holiday.