Italians, Poles fight CPS plan to end Columbus, Pulaski holidays
by mark konkol Writer at Large March 18, 2012 12:21AM
Italians and Polish civic leaders lambasted a plan by Chicago Public Schools to have students attend school instead of take holidays for Christopher Columbus (left) and Casimir Pulaski.
ARTICLE EXTRAS
Updated: March 18, 2012 2:39AM
End the holiday treatment for Pulaski Day and Columbus Day at Chicago Public Schools?
Polish and Italian civic leaders say the proposed change in the school calendar backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel is “a slap in the face.”
“It’s ironic that while the river flows green we hear the news,” Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans president emeritus Dominic DiFrisco said on St. Patrick’s Day. “It’s very disheartening. This is part of an ongoing campaign to diminish ethnic recognition in the city. … We’re not marching in the street, yet. We may.”
Gary Kenzer, executive director of the Polish American’s Association, said the proposed holiday changes show “