Welcome to our 200th IADL member, Alfonso Panico. He is former Honorary Vice Consul for the Republic of Italy in Connecticut. It is an honor to have him as an IADL member.
WELI Radio Host Vinnie Penn recognized two Italian patriarchs of New Haven during his 960 AM radio segment called L’Ora Italiana. Penn included a segment about William Iovanne, funeral director and Pasquale (Lino) Liuzzi, cheese-maker who both passed away. Iovanne was described as the gentleman of Wooster Square whose kind heart soothed many during their darkest times. Liuzzi was known as a successful entrepreneur who believed in “Hard work, no foolishness.” Listen to both segments using the links provided.
Across the sea in Rome, “We the Italians” held its Annual Gala to promote positive relationships between the United States and Italy. Umberto Mucci, founder of the organization, created the motto, “Two Flags, One Heart.” Watch these videos showcasing the gala including an award given to Baseball Star Matt Harvey of Connecticut who played for Team Italy. Also included are renditions of both countries’ national anthems, speech by Umberta Mucci, music, and history.
Now for headlines around the globe about everything Italian. Did you know Italian accents are the most alluring, increasing the average person’s heart rate by 15 beats per minute? Dutch and English accents finished last in the study. Brooklyn native Rosella Rago discusses her show “Cooking with Nonna,” her three cookbooks, and her e-commerce platform in this article. Italian police confiscated 71 tons of fake olive oil and freed 33 agricultural workers from slave-like labor conditions by Indian nationals in northern Verona. Italian Tennis Star Italy’s Jasmine Paolini lost in Wimbledon's Grand Slam Final in three sets to Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova. The Italian is reaching new heights with her second consecutive grand slam final. Italian Lorenzo Musetti lost in the semifinals to seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
First, urgent action is needed by IADL members. The Italian American One Voice Coalition has notified us with the following statement regarding the Reimagining Columbus Project in Columbus, Ohio. I believe the best comments are concise and positive!
"As you may be aware, the mayor of Columbus, Ohio, is currently undertaking the "Re-imagining Columbus" project to determine how to address Christopher Columbus's legacy, including the statue removed four years ago. It is crucial that we, as members of the community, ensure that this project considers accurate historical facts and recognizes the significance of Christopher Columbus to Italian Americans. This is not just about history; it's about preserving our cultural heritage and promoting understanding.
I urge you to take action by emailing or calling Mayor Andrew J. Ginther at mayorsoffice@columbus.gov or (614) 645-7671. Express your support for an approach that values historical accuracy and respects the contributions of Christopher Columbus to our collective history. Additionally, please CC your email to info@iaovc.org so that we can keep track of the collective effort from our community. Lastly, don't forget to complete the survey available at https://www.reimaginingcolumbus.com/. Your input matters in shaping the future direction of this project.”
Second, let’s help our friends at Italian American Alliance in Massachusetts, especially IADL members from “The Bay State.” The legislative session ends on July 31st and there are still two bills to end Columbus Day in Massachusetts: H2989 and S1976. Tom Damigella, VP IAA, provided us the email addresses of committee members and sample email text.
Christopher.Markey@mahouse.gov
Subject: Bill H2989/S1976 To replace Columbus Day with IPD
Dear Committee Members,
I am writing to you regarding the bills pending before your committee to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day as a State Holiday.
I believe Italian-Americans should be recognized and respected by not taking Columbus Day away from them as a State Holiday. No other group is expected to have their day merged with another group’s. It is disrespectful both to Italian Americans as well as the Native American communities. It is not only important to Italian Americans, but has also been a proud part of America history and tradition.
There has been much misinformation circulating in the past few decades regarding the history of Christopher Columbus, and in a misguided effort to be inclusive and sensitive to all cultures, this bill produces the opposite effect - it foments exclusion and resentment, especially among Italian-Americans, who have struggled for decades to be accepted into the American national life.
I urge you to not support this Bill and keep Columbus Day as is. I also suggest that the day after Thanksgiving be recognized as Native American Heritage Day and that the entire month of November be Native American Heritage Month as already declared by proclamation by the Federal Government. There is also the option of recognizing August 9th which is already designated by the United Nations since 1999 as Indigenous Peoples Day. Both groups deserve to preserve and protect their cultural heritage and it isn’t fair to take away one people’s holiday and replace it with another, especially when there are other available days appropriate for celebration.
Very Respectfully,
(YOUR NAME)
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. It is our hope that organizations will share their events, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Milford, CT – July 15, 2024 (LOCATION and DATE are CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY). Please email IADL in advance if you’d like to attend. All members are welcome.
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Opera Theater of Connecticut
Mozart’s Don Giovanni. - Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m. Andrews Memorial Theater, Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut. “Mozart’s masterpiece of seduction, deception, and divine justice. Don Giovanni, with its ground-breaking libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, has been called the finest opera ever by many.” Tickets $55, Senior $50, Student $35. For more information go to www.operatheaterofct.org.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan, 860-805-2139.
Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Events
Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission. 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street. The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com .
2024 Savin Rock Festival in West Haven, Connecticut
Dates & Times: Friday, July 26, 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Click here to visit the city’s website for more information. American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani will be performing!
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League:
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome new IADL members: Aubrey English and Christopher Gerber. We currently have 199 members and 356 followers on Facebook. Let’s keep growing by sharing this membership link on our website with family and friends. Who will be our 200th member?
It is more important than ever that people of Italian descent unite and form alliances in the United States and abroad. Our heritage is under attack. In Chicago, Christopher Columbus Elementary School’s name has been changed to Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Ron Onesti, president of Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, said, “We just feel that the subject matter was not thoroughly vetted out. It is a disrespectful, non-vetted, non-researched decision on changing the name, period.” In Syracuse, New York, Mayor Ben Walsh continues to fight the Columbus Monument Corporations to keep the almost 90 year old Columbus monument in its current location. Despite legal set-backs, Nick Pirro of the Columbus Monument Corporation said at a July 2, 2024 press conference, "This statue isn't going anywhere, and neither are we. The real fight has just begun. It's a fight for art, it's a fight for history, and it's a fight for heritage."
If you thought cancel culture and vandalism would stop with Columbus, you were mistaken. A statue of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as Mother Cabrini, is going to be moved from its current location in Newark, New Jersey. Residents of Lady of Mount Carmel Church say they want the statue to stay, but government officials are committed to its removal. Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten, a Newark native, said, “All that's left of any proof that any of us were ever here is Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Lucy's, and Mother Cabrini. So, by moving that statue, you're taking more without consulting what is left of this community.” In Peru, New York, a local teen vandalized the Mother Cabrini Shrine. According to this article, “Windows in the storage area and glass items in Mother Cabrini's shrine were smashed. Hot wax was spread over property in the chapel.”
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “At least 333 incidents have occurred across 43 states and the District of Columbia since May 2020. Incidents include arson, statues beheaded, limbs cut, smashed, and painted, gravestones defaced with swastikas and anti-Catholic language and American flags next to them burned, and other destruction and vandalism.”
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
It has been more than a year since IADL filed a lawsuit against Mayor Justin Elicker of New Haven for the illegal removal of the Columbus statue dedicated in 1892 at Wooster Square Park in New Haven. The Columbus plinth, the base of the statue, still is in place next to the new immigrant statue. The most unifying solution is to return the Columbus statue to its base, two monuments side-by-side representing different moments in history.
Still, opponents of the Columbus statue repeat debunked lies over and over again, which means education is crucial to long term goals of maintaining and expanding Italian heritage. That is why Italian-American Defense League is collaborating with members of the newly formed Connecticut Council of American Italian Organizations to form an Italian heritage commission and adopt Italian heritage curriculum in Connecticut. On July 1, 2024, representatives of the Connecticut Council met with Senator Richard Blumenthal and his Deputy State Director. First, Senator Blumenthal gave his support for Columbus Day. He assured us that as a member of the Judiciary Committee, Senate Bill 2970, which calls for the replacement of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, will not come out of committee. Second, Blumenthal’s Deputy State Director outlined steps we will need to take to propose legislation that will ultimately lead to Italian heritage curriculum in Connecticut.
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. It is our hope that organizations will share their events, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (LOCATION & DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Opera Theater of Connecticut
Mozart’s Don Giovanni. - Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m. Andrews Memorial Theater, Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut. “Mozart’s masterpiece of seduction, deception, and divine justice. Don Giovanni, with its ground-breaking libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, has been called the finest opera ever by many.” Tickets $55, Senior $50, Student $35. For more information go to www.operatheaterofct.org.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan, 860-805-2139.
Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Events
Thursday, July 11 – Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception and Official Presentation of the Grand Marshal’s Parade Sash, 6 p.m., Vazzano’s Four Seasons, Stratford. As part of this event, scholarships totaling $5,000 will be presented to the five 2024 CIAS Scholars. Tickets are $75 per person.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission. 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street. The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com .
2024 Savin Rock Festival in West Haven, Connecticut
Dates & Times: Friday, July 26, 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Click here to visit the city’s website for more information. American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani will be performing!
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome new IADL members: Barbara Consiglio, Barbara Rogo, and Victoria Perronni! Also, Judith Della Donna is our latest newsletter subscriber. Our message is resonating and we continue to grow. Who wouldn’t want to promote education, portray Italians positively, and preserve traditions? My hope is that we support Italian heritage events throughout the state. At the end of the weekly newsletter, you’ll find a list of summer and fall events.
A final version of IADL’s opinion piece called “The Columbus monument removed from Wooster Square represents true courage: The new immigrant statue is revisionist without it,” was published in the CT Mirror. The focus of the article is on the historical significance of the Columbus monument that was removed from Wooster Square. The reaction to the article is overwhelmingly positive. At the time of writing this newsletter, 182 people reacted positively to the opinion piece, while 13 reacted negatively. That shows that 93 percent agree with our call for the return of the Columbus statue to Wooster Square in New Haven. Let's have both statues and respect everyone. Please share the link and advocate for our position.
CEO, Journalist, and Editor Umberto Mucci publishes “We the Italians Magazine: Two Flags, One Heart.” He generously shares his digital version of the magazine with us. Mucci personally expressed to me that he is inspired by Americans’ love of Italian culture. From New York to Rome, history to current events, art to sports, and cooking to tourism, Mucci covers meaningful topics in depth. Enjoy June’s magazine at this link.
Not only is the Italian National Soccer team receiving criticism from the soccer world, but also from its own players. After a lackluster 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 16, the Azzurri are eliminated from the Euro 2024 Tournament. Goalkeeper and Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma admitted, "We need to own this, take responsibility and move on.” Many critics are placing the blame on Coach Luciano Spalletti for the team’s lack of aggressiveness and attacking up front. The team won the Euro Championship in 2021.
Where sports meet Italian heritage, Vincent and Teresa Viola, owners of NHL’s Florida Panthers, won the Stanley Cup with a Game Seven, 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Read COPOMIAO President Basil Russo’s letter congratulating the Viola Family.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Tomorrow the Connecticut Council of American Italian Organizations will meet with Senator Richard Blumenthal. We have two items on the agenda. 1. Express our opposition to Senate Bill 2970 to replace Columbus Day and remove all references of Columbus in U.S. Code. We will ask for a statement in support of Columbus Day. 2. Ask for support in the adoption of Italian Heritage Curriculum at national and state levels of government. We will be able to utilize New Jersey’s curriculum and supplement it with lessons about Connecticut in our final version. Here is a link to the curriculum that was adopted in New Jersey: Italian Heritage Curriculum - NJ Italian Heritage Commission . We also will present a draft of legislation that can be adopted at the state level in Connecticut to put this plan into action.
Thank you in advance to the CT Council’s delegation to the meeting with Senator Blumenthal:
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. It is our hope that organizations will share their events, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan, 860-805-2139.
Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Events
Thursday, July 11 – Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception and Official Presentation of the Grand Marshal’s Parade Sash, 6 p.m., Vazzano’s Four Seasons, Stratford. As part of this event, scholarships totaling $5,000 will be presented to the five 2024 CIAS Scholars. Tickets are $75 per person.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission. 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street. The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com .
2024 Savin Rock Festival in West Haven, Connecticut
Dates & Times: Friday, July 26, 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Click here to visit the city’s website for more information. American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani will be performing!
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
To start, the Italian National Soccer team lost its second match in Euro 2024 against Spain on an “own” goal by a ball that ricocheted off of an Italian defender into his own net. Even though Spain dominated the match, Italy is still in position to advance to the knock-out round. Now with one win and one loss, the Azzurri needs only a tie against Croatia on Monday to move on.
Now to New Haven, Connecticut. . . Below is a completed opinion piece countering misunderstandings by the Wooster Square Monument Committee. Our goal is to have this published in the near future. IADL’s piece is titled, “The Columbus Monument Removed from Wooster Square in New Haven Represents True Courage: The New Immigrant Statue is Revisionist Without It.”
Neil Proto, an attorney and author, published an opinion piece, “New Haven Italian-American sculpture represents true courage (without Columbus),” about the new immigrant statue at Wooster Square in New Haven. Proto was handpicked by Mayor Justin Elicker to serve as a historian and consultant to the Wooster Square Monument Committee. Instead of defending the Italians of the last 128 years, members of the committee agreed to Mayor Elicker’s demands to create a new immigrant statue to replace the Columbus monument. Proto’s latest opinion piece seems to outline Mayor Elicker’s legal defense to the Italian-American Defense League’s lawsuit.
Proto’s Facts are Fuzzy
Proto promotes himself as an expert and historian, which seems doubtful. For example, Proto wrote, “On July 21, 1892, President William Henry Harrison proclaimed, as ‘authorized and directed’ by Congress, a one-time national holiday on Oct. 21, 1892 ...”. Did you find Proto’s mistake? President William Henry Harrison died 51 years before 1892. It was Benjamin Harrison who made the first presidential proclamation to honor the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America. Additionally, Proto describes the “larger than life statute” substituting the word “statue” with “statute.” Where is Proto’s attention to detail?
Christopher Columbus: An Italian American Icon
First, Proto minimizes the importance of Columbus to Italian immigrants and suggests that Columbus was not important to Paul Russo, who led Italian United Societies. Proto’s opinion is illogical because Russo and these Italian immigrants funded, erected, and dedicated the Columbus monument. At the Columbus monument’s dedication on October 21, 1892, Russo stated, “the Italian United Societies of New Haven have caused to be erected a monument of this great and illustrious countryman, Christopher Columbus.” Proto is putting a modern-day spin on history in Russo’s speech. According to Russo, Columbus had everything to do with being Italian-American in New Haven.
Second, Proto indicates that the Columbus monument was a gift to the City of New Haven in contrast to the words that Russo actually said. Russo stated that the Columbus monument was “to be presented through you, Mr. Mayor [Joseph Sargent] to the citizens of New Haven, and in their name and behalf I, who have been selected to perform this pleasant duty, formally tender the same and to remain here forever.” The words, “through you” and Mayor Sargent’s statement, “Where the people to-day welcome the gift of this statue I accept the same,” strengthen the case that the statue was a gift to New Haven citizens. Mayor Sargent replied, “It will stay here as a pledge of the loyalty of the Italians of this country to the nation and its flag.”
Columbus: An Italian Catholic Icon
Proto emphasizes Columbus’ status as an Anglo-Saxon, Protestant icon and diminishes the explorer’s role as a Catholic figure to the Italians of New Haven. In Giuseppe Garibaldi’s letter to Abraham Lincoln on August 6, 1863, Garibaldi refers to Italians as “Free children of Columbus.” This letter was written 19 years before Russo’s Columbus statue dedication in New Haven. A historian is required to have a broad understanding of history in context and should know that Columbus was not only a historical icon to Anglo-Saxons in the United States, but was also a historic icon in Italy. Furthermore, it was the Protestant National Council of Churches that led efforts to eliminate Columbus Day and promote a revisionist narrative in 1992 on the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ first landing in America. Proto seems to think that even though Italian immigrants of 1892 erected a statue of Christopher Columbus on Columbus Green next to St. Michael’s Church, their Catholic Church, Columbus was not an important Catholic figure in the lives of New Haven Italians.
Columbus Monument: A Response to the New Orleans Lynching of 11 Italians
Proto mentions Yale’s role in the eugenics movement and Governor Dean Wilbur Cross’s belief in the sterilization of Southern Italians. Sadly, the City of New Haven keeps the namesake of Wilbur Cross for one of its high schools, while eliminating the Columbus statue, which represents the very Italians targeted by the eugenics movement and victims of the March 14, 1891, lynching of 11 Italian immigrants.
The Yale New Haven Teachers Institute published research showing that a New Haven barber and physician called a meeting in response to the New Orleans lynchings of Italians which led to the 1892 Columbus Day celebrations and dedication of the Columbus monument at Wooster Square.
According to the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute, The New Haven Register, “reported that thirty-five Italians in New Haven had met at 796 Chapel Street to consider a mass meeting to denounce the lynchers. Callers of the meeting included Dr. Botello of 111 Hill Street, an Italian physician and head of the Italian-American Democratic Club, and Donato Vece, barber, of 179 Congress Avenue. Increasing pride in Italian heritage was shown by a massive Columbus Day celebration in New Haven on October 11, 1892, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the landing of Columbus. Many thousands took part in the parade, which extended for miles and included thirty-six bands and eleven drum corps. On the following evening a number of local Italian societies sponsored the laying of the cornerstone of a statue of Christopher Columbus in Wooster Square on Chapel Street, overlooking New Haven harbor, which at that time came up to Water Street. The monument, unveiled and presented to the city on October 21, 1892, was paid for solely by contributions from Italian-Americans.”
Presidential Proclamation: An Apology for the Lynching
Following the March 1891 lynchings, U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine and the Italian government participated in an international dispute regarding damages to be paid to the families of the Italian immigrant victims, who were unfairly accused of being in the mafia. The Pittsburg Press reported on April 16, 1891, “We do not believe the Italian government will declare war against the United States, but it does look as if it would be driven to a complete suspension of friendly intercourse with the government by Blaine’s letter.” In May 1891, the Italian Consul of New Orleans recalled its ambassador to Rome to give testimony to the Italian government about the lynchings. After a year of diplomatic talks on April 16, 1892, the United States Government agreed to pay the families of the immigrants $28,000 in damages.
The Sydney Mail reported on April 11, 1891, that Benjamin Harrison, “deplores the unfortunate occurrence at New Orleans, and he promises to institute a searching inquiry into the circumstances of the outbreak.” In response, Marquis Di Rudini, the Italian Premier, stated, “diplomatic relations can only be resumed on the commencement of the prosecution of the men who shot Italian subjects at New Orleans.” After listening to the Italian Premier’s request, it was reported that President Harrison, “has formally demanded that the Governor of the State of Louisiana, shall arrest the lynchers of the Sicilians for trial in the Federal Court.”
President Benjamin Harrison attended ceremonies to unveil the shaft of the new Columbus monument presented by Italian societies in New York in 1892 and honored Columbus for the discovery of America with the first presidential proclamation in honor of Columbus for the 400th Anniversary of Columbus’s landing in America. Fast forward to April 12, 2019, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell apologized for the government’s role in the March 14, 1891, lynchings of Italian immigrants.
Back in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1891, Donato Vece and Dr. Botello, assumingly knew of the international crises and called a meeting. As a result, Italians of New Haven participated in a patriotic display of Americanism on Columbus Day in 1892 and days later culminating with the dedication of New Haven’s Columbus monument. Columbus became a symbol of courage for Italian immigrants in their newly adopted home country as Americans.
With that understanding, it is clear why Communist USA members Howard Zinn and New Haven’s Al Marder distorted Columbus’s history to tear it down: Columbus was a patriotic symbol, Catholic, and patriarchal. Too many people and news media still repeat the genocide lies spread by Zinn. Throughout the Columbus statue’s history, it has been a target of bigotry and hate. Italians repaired the statue after vandalism and protested its removal on more than one occasion. The Wooster Square Monument Committee needs to return Columbus to restore the reputations of its members. Unlike Italians of the past, Proto and members of the Monument Committee appeared to have bowed to pressure. Until members publicly support the return of Columbus, their reputations will be tarnished as they are siding with Communists and historical revisionists, instead of 128 years of courageous Italians.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Tonight, you are welcome to attend a monthly “Solidarity Session” among representatives of groups against cancel culture. Registration is required to join the Solidarity Session. Click the following link to register: www.thesolidaritysessions.com . This virtual meeting will give you an opportunity to meet and discuss further how we can collaborate with our new friends at Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA).
On Wednesday, I was given the opportunity to speak at the Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage kick-off dinner. I am impressed by the four months of events planned by The Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport (CIASGB). Elaine K. Ficarra was introduced as the 2024 Grand Marshal of the parade and an award was presented to one of five scholarship recipients, who is relocating before July’s scholarship dinner. Let’s support the parade that unapologetically keeps Columbus’s name and has run continuously for the past 116 years!
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. It is our hope that organizations will share their events, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - June 13th, July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan, 860-805-2139.
Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Events
Thursday, July 11 – Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception and Official Presentation of the Grand Marshal’s Parade Sash, 6 p.m., Vazzano’s Four Seasons, Stratford. As part of this event, scholarships totaling $5,000 will be presented to the five 2024 CIAS Scholars. Tickets are $75 per person.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission. 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street. The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com .
2024 Savin Rock Festival in West Haven, Connecticut
Dates & Times: Friday, July 26, 5-10 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Click here to visit the city’s website for more information. American Idol Winner Nick Fradiani will be performing!
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome new IADL member Cherie Williams, subscriber Paradise Hunter Hawks, and subscriber Patrick Angelo Martin!
Last week, I critiqued Neil Proto’s opinion about the Columbus statue that was removed from Wooster Square in New Haven. I focused on facts that refuted Mayor Elicker’s anti-Columbus narrative, which Proto seems to support. Proto is promoting himself as an expert and historian, which he clearly is not. For example, Proto wrote:
“‘On July 21, 1892, President William Henry Harrison proclaimed, as ‘authorized and directed’ by Congress, a one-time national holiday on Oct. 21, 1892 for the ‘observance of the discovery of America by Columbus’ so that ‘the national flag [may] float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.’”
Did you find Proto’s mistake? President William Henry Harrison died 51 years before 1892. It was Benjamin Harrison who made the first presidential proclamation to honor the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America. This error, in combination with revisionist interpretations highlighted in last week’s newsletter, shows the lack of scholarship in Proto’s writing.
Next week we will dive deeper into showing the relationship between the March 14, 1891 New Orleans lynching of 11 Italian immigrants and the first presidential proclamation for Columbus Day.
Now for news headlines about everything Italian! Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner is the first Italian to reach the world’s #1 tennis ranking. Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini lost in the French Open final after having a very successful Grand Slam tournament. The Italian National Soccer team, while dreaming about winning Euro 2024, instead was caught sleeping when Albania scored in the 23rd second of yesterday’s match. The Azzurri did come back and held on to win 2-1.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Connecticut Public Radio interviewed me about the Italian-American Defense League's perspective on the new immigrant statue in Wooster Square. Our position emphasizes unity over division. The new immigrant statue is the first step in the healing process after Mayor Justin Elicker ignored and disrespected Italians of 128 years. The second step in the healing process is returning the Columbus statue to its pedestal, 1892 and 2024 side by side. Earlier in the week, Chaz & AJ in the Morning on WPLR 99.1 FM asked similar questions in this radio interview which is posted on YouTube.
This Wednesday, I will attend the Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage kick-off dinner. The Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport (CIASGB) has planned four months of events. The council will introduce this year’s Grand Marshal of the parade, Webster Bank managing director Elaine K. Ficarra. I will have a couple of minutes to talk about IADL’s work in Connecticut and beyond. Let’s support the parade that unapologetically keeps Columbus’s name!
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. Below, UNICO Hartford and CIASGB shared their upcoming schedules of events. It is our hope that other organizations will do the same, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Manchester Chapter Golf Tournament - Mon. June 17th. Contact Dorothy Malerba, 860-559-0920, for more information.
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - June 13th, July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan 860-805-2139.
Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Events
Thursday, July 11 – Meet the 2024 Grand Marshal Reception and Official Presentation of the Grand Marshal’s Parade Sash, 6 p.m., Vazzano’s Four Seasons, Stratford. As part of this event, scholarships totaling $5,000 will be presented to the five 2024 CIAS Scholars. Tickets are $75 per person.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Italian Heritage Day at Yankee Stadium, Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m. Ticket price to be determined.
Thursday, Aug. 15 – The John Arcudi Columbus Leadership Awards Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Tickets are $75 per person.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Grand Marshal Gala, 6 p.m., Trumbull Marriott Shelton Grand Ballroom, Trumbull. Tickets are $125 per person.
Friday, Oct. 4 – The inaugural Pasta e Fagioli Competition, 6 p.m., Tashua Knolls Banquets, Trumbull. Ticket price to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Opening Ceremonies for the 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Celebration Wreath laying at the Columbus statue, 11:30 a.m., Seaside Park, Bridgeport. Italian Flag-raising and reception, including presentation of the first Young Italian American Business Owner Award, 1 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Catholic Mass, celebrated by Bishop Francis Caggiano, 4 p.m., Saint Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport.
Friday, Oct. 11 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, 6:45 p.m., Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – The 35th Vincent Vizzo Columbus Day Concert, featuring the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Cherry Point, NC, Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, 6:45 p.m. Free admission. Concertgoers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the concert in support of area veterans in need.
Sunday, October 13 – The 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, Pre-Parade Central, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Crown Café & Deli, Bridgeport. Free admission. 116th Greater Bridgeport Columbus Day Parade, noon. Free admission. The parade route starts at Jewett and Madison avenues and proceeds south on Madison to the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi between Wheeler Avenue and Alice Street. The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 12 to 5 p.m., between Wheeler and Alice Street, Bridgeport. Free admission and children’s rides.
Thursday, November 7 – Post-Parade Celebration and Grand Marshal Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m., Circolo Sportivo Italian American Club, Bridgeport. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, visit WWW.CIASGBPT.com .
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Neil Proto, an attorney and author, published an opinion piece last week about the new immigrant statue at Wooster Square in New Haven. Proto was handpicked by Mayor Justin Elicker to serve as a historian and consultant to the Wooster Square Monument Committee. Instead of defending the Italians of the last 128 years, members of the committee agreed to Mayor Elicker’s demands to create a new immigrant statue to replace the Columbus monument. Proto’s latest opinion piece seems to outline Mayor Elicker’s legal defense to IADL’s lawsuit. My commentary is below and Proto’s words are in bold.
First, Proto minimizes the importance of Columbus to Italian immigrants and suggests that Columbus was not important to Paul Russo, who led Italian United Societies. Proto’s opinion is illogical because Russo and these Italian immigrants funded, erected, and dedicated the Columbus monument. At the Columbus monument’s dedication on October 21, 1892, Russo stated, “the Italian United Societies of New Haven have caused to be erected a monument of this great and illustrious countryman, Christopher Columbus.” Proto is putting a modern-day spin on history in Russo’s speech. According to Russo, Columbus had everything to do with being Italian-American patriots in New Haven.
Second, Proto indicates that the Columbus monument was a gift to the City of New Haven in contrast to the words that Russo actually said. Russo stated that the Columbus monument was “to be presented through you, Mr. Mayor [Sargent] to the citizens of New Haven, and in their name and behalf I, who have been selected to perform this pleasant duty, formally tender the same and to remain here forever.” The words, “through you” and Mayor Sargent’s statement here strengthen the case the statue was a gift to New Haven citizens, “Where the people to-day welcome the gift of this statue I accept the same.” If you interpret these statements to mean the Mayor Sargent accepted the statue on behalf of the citizens of New Haven, that means the statue was given to the citizens. Despite these quotations, if you still interpret that the statue was given to the mayor and City of New Haven, they agreed to keep the statue in its original location forever. Mayor Sargent replied, “It will stay here as a pledge of the loyalty of the Italians of this country to the nation and its flag.”
Third, Proto emphasizes Columbus’ status as an Anglo-Saxon, Protestant icon and diminishes the explorer’s role as a Catholic figure to the Italians of New Haven. In Giuseppe Garibaldi’s letter to Abraham Lincoln on August 6, 1863, Garibaldi refers to Italians as “Free children of Columbus.” This letter was written 19 years before Russo’s Columbus statue dedication in New Haven. A historian is required to have a broad understanding of history in context and should know that Columbus was not only a historical icon to Anglo-Saxons in the United States but was also a historic icon in Italy. Furthermore, it was the Protestant National Council of Churches that led efforts to eliminate Columbus Day and promote a revisionist narrative in 1992 on the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ first landing in America. Proto seems to think that even though Italian immigrants of 1892 erected a statue of Christopher Columbus on Columbus Green next to St. Michael’s Church, their Catholic Church, Columbus was not an important Catholic figure in the lives of New Haven Italians.
Russo began not with reference to Columbus, nor did he refer to Columbus, throughout his presentation, as held in reverence, or as courageous explorer, discoverer of America, or as a Catholic crusader. Those attributes had been embraced ten days earlier, on Oct. 11, by the Knights of Columbus and Anglo-Saxon dignitaries in a grand ceremony on the New Haven Green. Russo began instead with a declaration of the immigrant community’s purpose in making the gift: “The Italians of this beautiful city are proud of their adopted home and interested in no small way in its advancement and prosperity.”
From the monument’s dedication, it is clear that Columbus was a patriotic symbol for Italian immigrants in their newly adopted home country. With that understanding, it is clear why Communist USA members Howard Zinn and New Haven’s Al Marder wanted to tear it down: Columbus was a patriotic symbol, Catholic, and patriarchal. The Wooster Square Monument Committee needs to return Columbus to restore the reputations of their members. Until members publicly support the return of Columbus, their reputations will be tarnished as they are siding with Communists and historical revisionists. I will continue critiquing Proto’s opinion piece during upcoming newsletters.
When thinking of Italian heritage and boxing, the first name to come to mind is “Rocky Balboa.” However, this “The Ring” boxing article ranks real boxers of Italian descent, not fictional ones. Familiar names such as Boom Boom Mancini, Jake LaMotta, and Rocky Marciano are on the list. Lesser-known boxers from Argentina and Brazil are mentioned. Did you know, “Today, around 30 million Argentines claim at least partial Italian heritage. The numbers are similar in Brazil.” On a side note, for that reason I cheer for Argentina as my third favorite national soccer team.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
It was an honor to be invited as a guest speaker to yesterday’s Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) state council meeting. (I am also an at-large member.) I was able to share IADL’s mission and current projects, including creating an Italian heritage curriculum in Connecticut and returning New Haven’s Columbus statue to its pedestal. National OSDIA President Michael Pollo, State President Paul Deriu, and Derby OSDIA President Dan Onofrio were in attendance. One of the first places where I found research to learn more about Italian heritage was on the OSDIA Commission for Social Justice website. Check it out. COPOMIAO, OSDIA, NIAF, UNICO, and other national Italian organizations work side-by-side on many important issues. We are doing the same with the newly formed Connecticut Council of American Italian Organizations.
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. Below, UNICO Hartford shared its upcoming schedule of events. It is our hope that other organizations will do the same, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Hartford UNICO Regular Meeting (5:30) and Scholarship Dinner (7PM) on Monday, June 10th. The event will take place at Adriatic Restaurant in Hartford. Guest Speaker is Joe Calafiore from the Hartford Athletics Soccer Club. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
Manchester Chapter Golf Tournament - Mon. June 17th. Contact Dorothy Malerba, 860-559-0920, for more information.
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - June 13th, July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time ! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan 860-805-2139.
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Neil Proto, an attorney and author, published an opinion piece last week about the new immigrant statue at Wooster Square in New Haven. Proto was handpicked by Mayor Justin Elicker to serve as a historian and consultant to the Wooster Square Monument Committee. Instead of defending the Italians of the last 128 years, members of the committee agreed to Mayor Elicker’s demands to create a new immigrant statue to replace the Columbus monument. Proto’s latest opinion piece seems to outline Mayor Elicker’s legal defense to IADL’s lawsuit. My commentary is below and Proto’s words are in bold.
First, Proto minimizes the importance of Columbus to Italian immigrants and suggests that Columbus was not important to Paul Russo, who led Italian United Societies. Proto’s opinion is illogical because Russo and these Italian immigrants funded, erected, and dedicated the Columbus monument. At the Columbus monument’s dedication on October 21, 1892, Russo stated, “the Italian United Societies of New Haven have caused to be erected a monument of this great and illustrious countryman, Christopher Columbus.” Proto is putting a modern-day spin on history in Russo’s speech. According to Russo, Columbus had everything to do with being Italian-American patriots in New Haven.
Second, Proto indicates that the Columbus monument was a gift to the City of New Haven in contrast to the words that Russo actually said. Russo stated that the Columbus monument was “to be presented through you, Mr. Mayor [Sargent] to the citizens of New Haven, and in their name and behalf I, who have been selected to perform this pleasant duty, formally tender the same and to remain here forever.” The words, “through you” and Mayor Sargent’s statement here strengthen the case the statue was a gift to New Haven citizens, “Where the people to-day welcome the gift of this statue I accept the same.” If you interpret these statements to mean the Mayor Sargent accepted the statue on behalf of the citizens of New Haven, that means the statue was given to the citizens. Despite these quotations, if you still interpret that the statue was given to the mayor and City of New Haven, they agreed to keep the statue in its original location forever. Mayor Sargent replied, “It will stay here as a pledge of the loyalty of the Italians of this country to the nation and its flag.”
Third, Proto emphasizes Columbus’ status as an Anglo-Saxon, Protestant icon and diminishes the explorer’s role as a Catholic figure to the Italians of New Haven. In Giuseppe Garibaldi’s letter to Abraham Lincoln on August 6, 1863, Garibaldi refers to Italians as “Free children of Columbus.” This letter was written 19 years before Russo’s Columbus statue dedication in New Haven. A historian is required to have a broad understanding of history in context and should know that Columbus was not only a historical icon to Anglo-Saxons in the United States but was also a historic icon in Italy. Furthermore, it was the Protestant National Council of Churches that led efforts to eliminate Columbus Day and promote a revisionist narrative in 1992 on the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ first landing in America. Proto seems to think that even though Italian immigrants of 1892 erected a statue of Christopher Columbus on Columbus Green next to St. Michael’s Church, their Catholic Church, Columbus was not an important Catholic figure in the lives of New Haven Italians.
Russo began not with reference to Columbus, nor did he refer to Columbus, throughout his presentation, as held in reverence, or as courageous explorer, discoverer of America, or as a Catholic crusader. Those attributes had been embraced ten days earlier, on Oct. 11, by the Knights of Columbus and Anglo-Saxon dignitaries in a grand ceremony on the New Haven Green. Russo began instead with a declaration of the immigrant community’s purpose in making the gift: “The Italians of this beautiful city are proud of their adopted home and interested in no small way in its advancement and prosperity.”
From the monument’s dedication, it is clear that Columbus was a patriotic symbol for Italian immigrants in their newly adopted home country. With that understanding, it is clear why Communist USA members Howard Zinn and New Haven’s Al Marder wanted to tear it down: Columbus was a patriotic symbol, Catholic, and patriarchal. The Wooster Square Monument Committee needs to return Columbus to restore the reputations of their members. Until members publicly support the return of Columbus, their reputations will be tarnished as they are siding with Communists and historical revisionists. I will continue critiquing Proto’s opinion piece during upcoming newsletters.
When thinking of Italian heritage and boxing, the first name to come to mind is “Rocky Balboa.” However, this “The Ring” boxing article ranks real boxers of Italian descent, not fictional ones. Familiar names such as Boom Boom Mancini, Jake LaMotta, and Rocky Marciano are on the list. Lesser-known boxers from Argentina and Brazil are mentioned. Did you know, “Today, around 30 million Argentines claim at least partial Italian heritage. The numbers are similar in Brazil.” On a side note, for that reason I cheer for Argentina as my third favorite national soccer team.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
It was an honor to be invited as a guest speaker to yesterday’s Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) state council meeting. (I am also an at-large member.) I was able to share IADL’s mission and current projects, including creating an Italian heritage curriculum in Connecticut and returning New Haven’s Columbus statue to its pedestal. National OSDIA President Michael Pollo, State President Paul Deriu, and Derby OSDIA President Dan Onofrio were in attendance. One of the first places where I found research to learn more about Italian heritage was on the OSDIA Commission for Social Justice website. Check it out. COPOMIAO, OSDIA, NIAF, UNICO, and other national Italian organizations work side-by-side on many important issues. We are doing the same with the newly formed Connecticut Council of American Italian Organizations.
Upcoming Events
It is that time of year with many Summer and Fall events coming up. Below, UNICO Hartford shared its upcoming schedule of events. It is our hope that other organizations will do the same, so that IADL can be the place that you can count on to find out all that is happening regarding Italian heritage in the State of Connecticut.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – July 15, 2024 (DATE IS CHANGED DUE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Hartford UNICO Upcoming Events
Hartford UNICO Regular Meeting (5:30) and Scholarship Dinner (7PM) on Monday, June 10th. The event will take place at Adriatic Restaurant in Hartford. Guest Speaker is Joe Calafiore from the Hartford Athletics Soccer Club. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
Manchester Chapter Golf Tournament - Mon. June 17th. Contact Dorothy Malerba, 860-559-0920, for more information.
Billy and Jeanne Biaggo Memorial Festa Italiana, Elm Ridge Park. Sept. 7 & 8th. - UNICO chapters Vendor tent. Contact Paul Pirrotta ppirrotta1@gmail.com - to join in monthly meetings. 2nd Thurs. of the month - June 13th, July 11th, and Aug. 8th at 7pm. Rocky Hill Community Center.
Hartford Yardgoats Baseball Game “Italian Heritage Night” - Wed. August 14th - 7PM Game Time. Group seating.. Great section.. Great time ! Only $16 per ticket-contact Peter Petrella. 413-330-1156.
Soccer Match - Sat. October 5th - Italian Heritage Night at the Hartford Athletics Pro Soccer Stadium in Hartford. - Contact MaryJoan 860-805-2139.
LEARN ITALIAN ONLINE
Italian Cultural Society/Carmichael Italian Center & Museum
Two Summer sessions – For more information and registration, click here.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome to our new IADL member, Jonathan Trotta!
Last week, the Italian-American Defense League invited you to share your family's stories of war heroes, including their heroism, valor, and sacrifice, so that we can share them with our members and Connecticut communities. IADL subscriber William Corvo contacted us and shared his research about a person dear to his heart, Max Corvo, his father. With a new documentary soon to be released, the following is meant to preview a film that I hope all of you view.
According to William Corvo’s research, Major Max Corvo of the U.S. Army, who worked with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), was a native of Sicily and a lifelong resident of Middletown, CT. While collaborating with OSS, he developed and implemented a plan that started by retaking Sicily from the fascists during World War II, and then the entire Italian peninsula. “OSS formed for the purpose of obtaining information about and sabotaging the military efforts of enemy nations during World War II.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Office-of-Strategic-Services, May 31, 2024). The officer’s plan consisted of:
Corvo “received numerous medals and honors including the Legion of Merit from the U.S.; an official knighthood from King Umberto of Italy, the Italian War Cross from the Italian Government and the Lateran Cross from the Vatican.” (Max Corvo of OSS – An American Story.pdf, received May 27, 2024). Max Corvo is an American hero who fulfilled a calling from his childhood to do something great with his life as an American, which he did by liberating his homeland. I look forward to sharing more of Max Corvo’s story in the upcoming weeks.
June 4th is the anniversary of the liberation of Rome from fascism during WWII. Watch this newsreel on CSPAN from the national archives showing the first Nazi capital city to fall to the allies. What captures my attention are the faces of joy and massive crowds of the citizens of Rome during the liberation!
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
On Wednesday, May 29th, a representative of the Wooster Square Monument Committee mentioned IADL’s lawsuit against Major Justin Elicker of New Haven on WPLR 99.1. The next day, IADL President Matthew Guarnieri spoke on the Chaz and AJ in the Morning Show in a 10-minute timeslot about the legacy of Christopher Columbus, Italian heritage in New Haven’s Wooster Square, and the illegal actions of Mayor Elicker in our lawsuit. Our interview was replayed the following day. (Sorry, there is no known link to the interview.)
Yesterday, IADL’s president attended the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations in New York City’s Little Italy. Sixty-six organizations from across the nation participated. The day started with breakfast at Cafe Palermo on Mulberry Street, followed by a tour of Red Sauce Studio where the Italian American Podcast is recorded. Later in the morning, member organizations were announced at the Italian American Museum across the street where we learned about the history of Little Italy and the completed renovation of the museum, presented by Dr. Joseph Scelsa. After lunch, COPOMIAO’s official annual meeting began, which consisted of:
After the meeting, we participated in a walking tour of Little Italy and had dinner at Lunella Ristorante. Most importantly throughout the day were the conversations we had and relationships among people of Italian descent that continue to form and strengthen. We as Italian Americans are united in preserving and honoring our heritage and history. No expenses were charged to IADL for this trip.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – June 3, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Frederick Douglas Celebration Event – Branford, CT - Wednesday, June 5, 2024
At Oceanside at The Owenego on 40 Linden Ave., Branford, CT 06405, enjoy this “meet the candidates” dinner. North Haven Mayor Michael Freda will be honored and the event is being hosted by Dominic Rapini, a friend of the IADL. Rapini is the one politician who published a pro-Columbus statement and spoke at IADL’s Italian Unity Dinner. Click here for more information.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome to our new IADL members, Robert Riggione, Francesco Spagno, and Anthony Zammataro, and to our latest newsletter subscribers, Michael Nicolletti and Jason Patricko.
In commemoration of Memorial Day, IADL will take a close look at two wars and our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. This line from last week’s OpEd in the New Haven Register, was cited by a reader, “healing is reconciling that every person is a beneficiary of the past.” In the context of Memorial Day, that couldn’t be more true. When you contrast the spoiled college campus protesters with the heroes of the greatest generation who were about the same age, you only can shake your head. Now is the time to teach our children the heroic stories of the past, so they can feel an appreciation for the present . . . prayer, patriotism, and honor.
Did you know that Italian-Americans fought in the Garibaldi Guard during the Civil War, not to be confused with the WWII Garibaldi Brigade? On August 6, 1863, Giuseppe Garibaldi wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln. A year before, Lincoln offered Garibaldi a major general’s commission in the Union’s army, but Garibaldi respectfully declined as his focus was on the unification of Italy. In that letter, Garibaldi referred to Italians as the “free children of Columbus,” and as a result of his communications, the 39th New York Infantry Regiment, made of up many Italians, was named the “Garibaldi Guard.” According to these statistics, “the regiment suffered a total of 274 fatalities. Eight officers and 107 enlisted men were killed in action or mortally wounded, and 1 officer and 158 enlisted men died of disease.”
The number soldiers of Italian descent in the US Armed Forces during WWII are estimated to be 1.5 million. During the war, up to 3 percent of the world’s population were killed. From North Africa to the Italian campaign, from the beaches of Normandy to Berlin, and to the Pacific, people of Italian descent saved the world. Remember the name of John Basilone who received the Medal of Honor for valor; the name of Henry Mucci who led a raid behind Japanese lines in the Philippines; the name of Anthony P. Damato who threw himself on a live grenade in a foxhole and posthumously received both The Purple Heart and Medal of Honor; the name of Gino J. Merle who received two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and the Battle of the Bulge Medal; the name of Vito R. Bertoldo who earned the Medal of Honor, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, and French Croix de Guerre; the name of Ralph Cheli who flew in over 40 combat missions and was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese; and the name of William J. Guarnere who was known as “Wild Bill” and received the Silver Star; 3 Bronze Stars, and 2 Purple Hearts. Read each of these hero's stories in more detail here. In addition, here is a list of Italian-American Medal of Honor recipients.
Italian-American Defense League invites you to share your family's stories of war heroes, including their heroism, valor, and sacrifice, so that we can share them with our members and Connecticut communities.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
After an interview with WTNH News Channel 8 and an opinion piece in The New Haven Register, IADL’s position on the new immigrant statue had significant reach this past week. We believe that the Columbus statue should never have been removed and there is plenty of space in New Haven to honor people of Italian descent and every ethnicity. We are all Americans! IADL never considered the new immigrant statue a replacement for the Columbus monument; however, in the spirit of unity and healing we have publicly and personally offered our support for the new immigrant statue.
Why were members of the Wooster Square Monument Committee so impotent in their understanding of history and actions following the illegal removal of the Columbus statue in 2020? Instead of standing up for our heritage, they folded. Until the Columbus statue returns, the new monument stands for cultural Marxism and revisionist history, not Italian heritage. However, now is the time for forgiveness and healing. We ask leaders of the Wooster Square Monument Committee to support the return of the Columbus statue. The Columbus statue is the original immigration statue funded, erected, and dedicated by the Italians of New Haven in 1892 and used as a rallying point for our heritage ever since. Until the Columbus statue returns, our Italian heritage is scathed in Wooster Square. We will continue our legal process to return the Columbus statue, but the return could happen tomorrow if leaders of the Monument Committee would have a change of heart.
Upcoming Events
Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) Annual Meeting, New York, NY – June 1, 2024
Italian-American Defense League’s president will represent our organization at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – June 3, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
This week Rosa DeLauro is taking a delegation of Wooster Street pizza restaurant owners to Washington, DC. DeLauro will enter a statement into the Congressional record declaring New Haven as the “Pizza Capital of the United States.” Although, we as Italians love pizza and support paisans on Wooster Street, I can’t help but express what many people of Italian descent are feeling . . . we are so much more than pizza! First, the statue that real Italians of 1892 funded, erected, and dedicated was illegally removed. Second, a fictitious Italian immigrant family statue will be placed next to the Columbus statue’s empty base instead of returning Columbus to his rightful place. And now, DeLauro is designating New Haven the “Pizza Capital.” Next, will a giant pizza statue be placed on the empty Columbus base? It sounds funny, but I’ve heard an Italian American close with the Wooster Square Monument Committee say he would like to honor pizza with a statue in Wooster Square. Do you want Italian heritage, history, and culture defined by pizza? Read more about this political maneuver in the Hartford Courant.
With this week’s news story about Pizza City, I wondered if DeLauro had any political challengers in this year’s election. I found digital print and video interviews with two Republicans, one from New Haven, and another from Stratford in the New Haven Independent. Michael Massey is a business owner from New Haven and Rafael Irizarry is a retired mental health counselor. Click on each candidate’s corresponding link to learn more.
In other Italian American news, a retired seamstress named Maria Pulsone was reunited with a statue that was made of her more than 40 years ago. The statue will be included as an exhibit in the Italian American museum of New York which is in Little Italy. Also in the Big Apple, Senator George Borrello, representing New York state legislators of Italian descent, announced that Monday, May 20th is designated as Italian American Day. And no respect for the former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani as he was served indictment papers at his 80th birthday party last week.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
IADL Director Phil Dickey’s second article was published by the Abbeville Institute. Dickey’s first article centered on monument desecration and how people of different heritages should unite. His second article focuses on the ideological battles between progressives and conservatives in the North and South in “The Second Battle of Atlanta.” I recommend that you read each of these intriguing articles.
Upcoming Events
Solidarity Session Tonight – May 19, 2024 – 7PM – Via ZOOM
In collaboration with the Italian American One Voice Coalition and Native American Guardian’s Association, we hold regular Zoom calls to bring different cultures together and facilitate conversations about preserving cultural heritage in the face of cancel culture. Join us to learn more about the importance of cultural preservation and how we can work together to ensure that our respective heritages are protected from cancel culture. Click here to register.
Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) Annual Meeting, New York, NY – June 1, 2024
Italian-American Defense League’s president will represent our organization at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – June 3, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
First, let’s welcome our newest member: Michael Campagnone. Now take a first look at IADL’s next letter to the editor submission, titled, “An Empty Pedestal: Reflecting on the Future of Wooster Square.”
On June 9, 2024, Mayor Justin Elicker’s Wooster Square Monument Committee, led by Frank Carrano, a resident of Branford and former President of the American Federation of Teachers in New Haven, will dedicate a newly designed immigrant monument in Wooster Square. The theme of the monument’s dedication is “Indicando La Via Al Futuro” meaning “Pointing the Way to the Future.” Unfortunately, Wooster Square’s future is not of an Italian enclave, but of an Orwellian dystopia.
The newly cast immigrant family will stand in the shadow of an empty pedestal. Columbus statue gone. Wrought iron fence removed. Bronze plaque that read, “A Cristoforo Colombo Gl’Italiani di New Haven,” erased from history. The dates 1492 and 1892 covered. Real Italians of 1892 ignored. Replacing them, a fictitious and idealized Italian peasant family.
On October 21, 1892, united Italian societies dedicated the Columbus monument to honor Columbus on behalf of the Italians of Connecticut. To them, the statue symbolized great achievements in American life, progress, the spirit of enlightenment, gratitude, devout faith, Divine Providence, patriotic duty, and blessings. And yes, Columbus was Italian!
If the new immigrant monument is the antithesis to the Columbus statue, that means it symbolizes failures of American life, stagnation, ignorance or superstition, resentment, skepticism, secularism, apathy, and entitlement. The Columbus monument was erected by the hands of hard-working Italian immigrants, and it was removed by the mayor with malice to appease vandals and rioters.
The new future of Wooster Square is of historical revisionism, judging a hero of the past by modern day standards instead of the context of his own times. The new future of Wooster Square ignores the sweat, blood, and tears of real Italian immigrants who marked their place in history. The fabric of a once thriving Italian enclave will forever be torn apart.
Healing within the Wooster Square community will not be achieved by embracing “cancel culture” or cultural Marxism. Instead, healing is reconciling that every person is a beneficiary of the past. The actions of one man from 1492 created opportunities for Italian immigrants in 1892 and for us today. That is why returning our Columbus statue to its pedestal will shine light on the new immigrant monument. Light instead of shadows. History in context. Humility.
Here are this week’s headlines about everything Italian from around the globe with a sports theme. First, a day after tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was pelted in the head with a water bottle at the Italian Open after a win, fans sent off Rafael Nadal, another tennis legend, with cheers and gratitude after the 10-time champion’s loss. Second, Italian tennis star Camila Giorgi is not receiving the same accolades. Giorgi is on the run from Italian tax authorities, and same say she may be hiding in the United States. This American woman did just that for a price. Last, Dante DiVincenzo, of the New York Knicks is on an amazing playoff run with his laser accurate three-point shooting. DiVincenzo, who is of Italian descent, would like to play for the Italian National Team this summer. The decision may depend on how far the Knicks make it in the NBA Playoffs. DiVincenzo already earned two NCAA Championships with Villanova University and one NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. Here are some recent highlights from this rising star.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Where Italians had the courage to stand up for their Italian American heritage, they’ve won in Connecticut. In Waterbury, citizens voted to keep the city’s Christopher Columbus statue after it was decapitated on July 4, 2020. There were 17,234 (60 percent) votes in favor of the statue and 11,747 against the statue. Waterbury UNICO raised $8,800 to repair the statue in December of the same year. In Southington in 2020, all Democrats on the Town Council voted to remove the town’s Columbus monument while all Republicans voted to keep it. As a result, the monument still stands today and is enjoyed by Italian clubs in the town. In New Britain, a bipartisan effort kept a Columbus statue standing after the City Council voted to remove the monument. After much input and debate from the Italian American Alliance of Connecticut, the mayor vetoed the resolution, and the council was unable to override the veto on January 13, 2021. In Milford, the bronze bust of Christopher Columbus still stands commemorating the 500th anniversary of the explorer’s discovery, with a plaque that reads, “One man’s achievement, creating opportunity for many.” The Milford Columbus Committee and city officials stood for law and order during the Summer of 2020 instead of giving in to vandals. In Norwalk, the political situation was too hostile and anti-Italian to overcome, and the town’s Columbus monument was relocated to the St. Ann Club, a private club for Italian Americans. In contrast, the few Italians who were entrusted by the mayor of New Haven to be gatekeepers of Italian heritage in Wooster Square were impotent in their understanding of history and in their actions following the illegal removal of the Columbus statue.
Upcoming Events
Solidarity Session – May 19, 2024 – 7PM – Via ZOOM
In collaboration with the Italian American One Voice Coalition and Native American Guardian’s Association, we hold regular Zoom calls to bring different cultures together and facilitate conversations about preserving cultural heritage in the face of cancel culture. Join us to learn more about the importance of cultural preservation and how we can work together to ensure that our respective heritages are protected from cancel culture. Click here to register.
Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) Annual Meeting, New York, NY – June 1, 2024
Italian-American Defense League’s president will represent our organization at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – June 3, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Dr. Al Fusco, IADL member, led Stamford UNICO in a four-month battle to return Columbus Day and Veterans Day to Stamford’s Board of Education calendar. In a vote of 5-3 with one member absent, Stamford’s board members adopted a calendar that included Columbus Day and Veterans Days as days of school for children, instead of being holidays. In February, hundreds of citizens protested at a rally in favor of the holidays and weeks later attended a Board of Education meeting asking for the return of the holidays. After a steadfast effort behind the scenes and a multi-faceted campaign, the board reversed its decision in a 9-0 vote at its April meeting. The Italian-American Defense League and Italian American Alliance – Connecticut gave Stamford UNICO support in its efforts by contacting each board member and Stamford’s mayor. I learned that anything is possible when people of Italian descent and patriotic Americans collaborate for a common cause. Board of Education members demonstrated a commitment to representative democracy by listening to Stamford’s citizens.
Read more about the big win for Columbus Day and Veterans Day in the Stamford Advocate, watch the news story on NBC 12 Connecticut, or listen to Dr. Fusco’s comments in this NBC 12 video on Haystack News. Thank you to Dr. Fusco for his leadership and perseverance.
Here are this week’s headlines about everything Italian from around the globe. First, read about the next solidarity session between people of Italian and Native American descents. Then register to participate in the next “Solidarity Session” on ZOOM to combat cancel culture. Second, have you seen the ads about buying an Italian home for 1 euro and wonder what it would cost to remodel one of these homes? This American woman did just that for a price. Last, Italy has a legitimate legal claim to a 2,000-year-old statue in a California museum and is working to get it back.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
As you can see in the title of the email, IADL will now include a headline in the email blast to members to gain your interest in the newsletter’s top story. Also, we will officially welcome new members. This week we welcome Will Luzzatto, our newest IADL member! If you have a story or interest to share, IADL would love to include it in our newsletter. Be sure to also include a photo. Here are some examples from IADL’s website.
In Stamford, the community rallied in support of Columbus Day, which reminds us that the majority supports Columbus Day and monuments. Right here in Connecticut, a bipartisan effort kept a Columbus statue in New Britain. In Waterbury, citizens voted to keep the city’s statue, and it was repaired, with 17,234 (60 percent) voting in favor of the statue and 11,747 against the statue. Where people of Italian descent had the courage to stand up for their heritage, they have won. Polls also confirm that Americans are for Columbus and against cancel culture. However, the data shows that young people and the far left are more likely to be against Columbus and in favor of cancel culture.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – May 6, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome to Diane Testa, our newest IADL member! And here are the latest headlines about everything Italian. April 25th was the 79th anniversary of Italian Liberation Day, a national Italian holiday. U.S. soldiers participated in ceremonies to honor Italy’s freedom from Nazis and Benito Mussolini’s fascist government. Read this April 26, 1945, newspaper article about Mussolini fleeing in Northern Italy. Now back to modern Venice, tourists will be required to pay an entrance fee as residents deal with overcrowding from tourism. In 2021, Italy banned cruise ships from docking in Venice because of their damage to canals and erosion to the underground foundation of the city.
Call to Action
Dr. Al Fusco of UNICO Stamford and IADL member worked with the Stamford Board of Education for more than six months on the district’s calendar committee. The committee approved a calendar with Columbus Day and Veterans Day as holidays for the schools. Without any meaningful discussion or warning at a January meeting, the board of education removed the two traditional, American holidays as days off for students. Fusco explained that at the next meeting, “Two-hundred, people, Veterans, the Knights of Columbus, UNICO and the Italian American community, went to the board meeting and spoke out about the importance of these holidays to them.” The board refused to listen to the 200 people in favor of re-instating the holidays. Zero citizens spoke in favor of the board’s decision. Is this representative government?
Follow these three simple steps and a filled-out petition will go to the mayor and every member of the Board of Education all at once. All are welcome to submit the petition, even if you’re from another town. You can also sign this change.org petition. Show that Italians and Veterans are united.
1. Go to www.Savecolumbus.com
2. Enter your address even if you are not from Stamford. Click NEXT.
3 At this screen enter your name and email Click NEXT.
4. Click to send in the petition and your email page will appear with all the petition already there. Click SEND EMAIL and you are done.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Crews dug trenches and conducted electrical work around the Christopher Columbus statue’s base in Wooster Square in New Haven. The new immigration monument will include lighting. In a social media post, I stated, “Healing is when the Columbus statue returns to its pedestal overlooking the new immigration statue, putting Columbus in context as a part of Italian heritage and our immigration story. A statue of Paul Russo, the ‘Father of Italians in New Haven’ who dedicated the Columbus statue, should be designed for Paul Russo Park.”
My Family’s History in the Liberation of Italy
During World War II, the Allied Forces air campaign and bombings led to the liberation of Italy. On October 6, 1943, German occupying forces began their retreat from a four-walled city, Alife, Caserta in the Volturno Valley, destroying infrastructure, such as bridges and railroads, to stop the Allied forces advance. Meanwhile, by October 9th, Allied forces dropped bombs on Alife’s key railroad softening the area for the advancement of ground troops moving north. During the morning of October 13th , Allied forces B-26 planes bombed municipal headquarters, destroyed the city’s church, San Caterina, except for its facade, and at midday another 88 bombs dropped in all. Thirty-five civilians died, including Priest Antonino Leggio, and 500 homes were destroyed. The destruction was described as devasting. Days later on October 18th, bombs dropped on a nearby mill, medieval castle, and two bridges over the Torano river. A week later, American forces entered Alife. Source: Alifae Luoghi, Storia, Cultura, Tradizioni Edizione 2014.
In 2004, my mother described my Nonna's experience during the bombings: She had to experience also the war. She has told me that the town was getting bombed. The bombing sirens were getting loud, more frequently. The buildings were shattering, the soldiers were everywhere, she did not know who was who. They ran to the mountains including her family. They took with them what they could for clothing and for food. She was scared as she walked down the streets to get to the mountains.
As they were walking, they realize that they forget the pig behind, so my mother and her brother had to go back to the house. As they were walking in the streets, they saw people hurt and they were calling for help, but there wasn’t anything that they could do. When they got to the house, it was a little ruined. There were soldiers in the house; they didn’t know if they were Germans or American. They were scared, but as they faced them, they saw that they were American, so they felt a little easy and they tried to talk with them. They offered them candy and they took some. They took the pig and they went back to the mountains. While they were in the mountains their lives were put in danger. There were some bombing that looked just like fireworks. In the mountains was horrible. It was cold, no one got washed. There was smell everywhere. Whatever food they had went bad. Food and water began disappearing. After a while they left the mountains again to see if they could go back home to see if they could carry some other things back with them, and to see if they could find some food and water. My mother remembers all these things as if it happened yesterday. She can never forget the people that were dying, the buildings that were falling, and that she couldn’t help even the soldiers.
Upcoming Events
Stamford, CT Board of Education Meeting – April 30, 2024, 7 PM
Show people of Italian descent are united in honoring Columbus Day and Veterans Day in public schools. Give support to UNICO Stamford in its effort to create a Columbus Day curriculum in Stamford schools, which could be used as a state-wide model.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – May 6, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
It is IADL’s great honor to welcome Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Grand Lodge of Connecticut as our newest member!
The fence is gone. On Wednesday, New Haven’s Parks Department removed the wrought iron fence surrounding the empty base of the Christopher Columbus statue in the federally recognized historic site of Wooster Square. The fenced area once contained the greatest symbol of Italian heritage, a bronze statue of Columbus. The fence is a symbol of protection. By removing the fence, the City of New Haven proves it will no longer safe-guard Italian heritage.
According to Elsie Chapman, a member of New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker’s monument committee, the new sculpture that will be erected near the current base will honor “ALL who have occupied the land.” Even though United Italian Societies dedicated the Columbus monument in 1892, Sculptor Marc-Anthony Massaro erroneously states that Columbus doesn’t have anything to do with Italian heritage in Wooster Square by saying “It didn’t have anything to do with Columbus.” The mayor and monument committees' positions can be interpreted as that there isn’t an Italian worthy of commemoration alone. Because members of the monument committee fail to understand the historical significance of Columbus Day and couldn’t identify ONE Italian in New Haven worth honoring, this small group continues to fail to earn the right of gatekeepers to Italian heritage in New Haven. As beneficiaries of the Italians of Wooster Square who erected the Columbus monument, they failed. The Italian-American Defense League supports new statues, but not to replace our historic monuments and symbols.
Monument News from COPOMIAO
In appeal, a panel of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judges ruled 7-0 to send the lawsuit back to lower court for reexamination, stating that City Hall does not have “…’free reign’ to act as it pleases in defiance of the law.”
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on Friday overturned the dismissal of a lawsuit that was filed to block the planned removal of Pittsburgh’s Columbus statue, writing in a 24-page opinion that a lower court “erred” in its dismissal of the case in 2022.
Philadelphia litigator George Bochetto filed the lawsuit, and subsequent appeal, on behalf of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), a not-for-profit cultural and fraternal organization that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1930; ISDA is a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO).
“I am delighted the Commonwealth Court agreed that the dismissal of this lawsuit by the lower court was plain error and that, while the mayor of Pittsburgh has certain First Amendment rights, he does not have free reign to violate the law,” said Bochetto. “I am also hopeful that the new mayor will sit down with me to reach a resolution without further costly litigation and a waste of taxpayers’ money."
The reinstated case will now go back before Judge John T. McVay, Jr. of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas “for further factfinding and decision,” per the opinion.
"The bronze Columbus statue in Schenley Park, casted in 1958 after years of meager donations from poor Italian immigrants, symbolizes the contributions and sacrifices of not only Italian immigrants, but of all immigrants, to the growth and success of the city of Pittsburgh. This history has the same right to be preserved and celebrated as does the history of all other groups," said Basil M. Russo, who is president of both ISDA and COPOMIAO.
In December 2022, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court — in a separate lawsuit — sided with Bochetto when it blocked Philadelphia’s former mayor from uprooting the city’s 148-year-old Columbus statue from a public plaza. The outcome of that case weighed heavily in yesterday’s Pittsburgh ruling (see pages 17 – 19).
(George Bochetto, Esq. also serves as National Counsel for COPOMIAO.)
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
As an educator and President of IADL, I had to opportunity to make a presentation about “The Roman Legacy on the Creation of America” at the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission’s annual conference at Rutgers University yesterday. IADL’s plan is to carry this curriculum to Connecticut for the purpose of infusing Italian heritage and history into classroom lessons from kindergarten to high school. The Italian Heritage Commission develops videos, like this, to share content with teachers that they can use with students. The video link is worth the watch.
Upcoming Events
Stamford, CT Board of Education Meeting – April 30, 2024, 7 PM
Show people of Italian descent are united in honoring Columbus Day and Veterans Day in public schools. Give support to UNICO Stamford in its effort to create a Columbus Day curriculum in Stamford schools, which could be used as a state-wide model.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – May 6, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
The “Father of Italians” in New Haven was Paul Russo. When contemplating the meaning of the Christopher Columbus monument to Italian immigrants, I only could imagine the disappointment that Paul Russo would have felt if he knew a future mayor of New Haven would break the bond between government and the Italian people by removing the statue. Read about Russo in the Sunday Herald, April 27, 1952, newspaper article, “Paul Russo Overcame Poverty to Win Fame.”
Here are the latest stories about everything Italian: The death toll of victims of a hydroelectric plant’s explosion in Italy rises to 7. Italian Fashion Designer Roberto Cavalli passed away at age 83. High earning “digital nomads” will receive visas to live in Italy. A Newark, New Jersey Columbus statue finds a new home.
Welcome to Ashley Testa, our latest newsletter subscriber! Now is the time to encourage others to join as we approach 180 full members and subscribers.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
During the past week, Elm City Filmmaker Steve Hamm interviewed IADL’s president about what the Christopher Columbus monument means to us. At City Hall, IADL’s president answered questions by the City of New Haven’s attorney in a deposition, which will be used in our court case to return the Christopher Columbus statue to its pedestal in Wooster Square. And IADL’s president continues to build a relationship with the Native American Guardian’s Association, and will participate in an online solidarity session tonight. We encourage IADL members and subscribers to individually join NAGA at this link. Watch this interview between Primo Magazine and Eunice Davidson, President of NAGA.
Upcoming Events
Wooster Square Cherry Blossom Festival – Today, April 14, 2024, 12-4:30 PM
Wooster Square's Cherry Blossoms have been celebrated each spring since 1973, when 72 Yoshino Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees were planted by the New Haven Historic Commission in collaboration with the New Haven Parks Department and Wooster Square neighborhood residents. The festival attracts thousands to Wooster Square and includes food vendors and local musicians. Continue reading about the festival on its website.
Stamford, CT Board of Education Meeting – April 30, 2024, 7 PM
Show people of Italian descent are united in honoring Columbus Day and Veterans Day in public schools. Give support to UNICO Stamford in its effort to create a Columbus Day curriculum in Stamford schools, which could be used as a state-wide model.
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – May 6, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time! l
Welcome to our latest member: Chris Lovas! Today’s newsletter is about reaching out to others in a shared mission to counter cancel culture. Later in this newsletter, examples are given showing Connecticut’s newly adopted public school’s social studies framework is focused on identity politics. Read the full social studies framework here.
At our last board meeting, IADL directors voted to join the Native American Guardian’s Association. We will collaborate as partners in the Seven Generations Alliance. NAGA Founder and President Eunice Davidson said it is vital “for our communities to come together, share experiences, and explore strategies to combat the negative impacts of cancel culture. By standing in solidarity with one another, we can challenge the erasure of our histories and promote a more inclusive and equitable society." By joining the Seven Generations Alliance, members agree that:
As patriotic Americans representing diverse ethnic backgrounds, histories, and cultures, we seek to foster mutual respect and preserve our individual races, cultures, traditions, historic figures, holidays, monuments, statues and all other forms of recognition of our unique contributions to our blended ethnic mosaic that is America. We believe that cancel culture is at the root of dividing Americans largely along racial lines as it seeks to eliminate history and tradition from society, and as such, cancel culture itself must be eliminated.
We encourage IADL members and subscribers to individually join at this link: https://www.nagaeducation.org/general-9-1 .
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
The IADL will present at the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission annual event. Topics include integration of the commission’s Christopher Columbus curriculum in public schools; what’s happening with our statues, the Roman legacy in the creation of America, video: Gianni Berenego Gardin’s Tale of Two Cities about Venice, and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini. The event will take place on April 20th at the Douglas Student Center at Rutgers University. Our presentation will share how the Roman legacy curriculum could be integrated into social studies instruction in public schools.
Surprisingly during preparation for the conference, I found the newly adopted Connecticut social studies framework is void of any reference to Columbus and mentions Italians, Rome, and Christians only one time each, in contrast to LGBTQ+ which is mentioned five times. Each example is below.
1.Geo.3.a. Use maps to identify Indigenous communities and cultural enclaves both past and present in Connecticut (e.g., recognized and unrecognized tribal communities, Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Italian, Albanian, Jewish, Portuguese, Sikh, Pakistani, Brazilian, Polish, Russian).
6.His.2.a. Classify a series of historical events and developments in a region as examples of political change and continuity (e.g., Fall of Rome, Korean Demilitarized Zone, Fall of Saigon, Partition of India).
US.His.15.a. Identify both long term causes and triggering events to develop historical arguments about efforts to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement (e.g., Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Black Panther Party, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, American Jewish Congress, American Indian Movement, United Farm Workers, Congress of Racial Equality).
[The} the CSDE partnered with state and national reviewers and content specialists in the areas of African American history, Latino history, Native American history, Asian American history, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and other sexual orientations, and gender identities (LGBTQ+) history for assistance in the writing and review of the standards.
2.His.14.a. Generate reasons about why national and state observances and celebrations have been established to honor individuals, groups, and events in the CT Social Studies Standards -DRAFT 9- page 32 United States (e.g., National Hispanic Heritage Month, Veterans Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Memorial Day, LGBTQ Pride Month, Juneteenth).
7.Geo.4.a. Explain how norms regarding gender and sexuality influence the daily lives of people (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights, family structures, matrilineal societies, division of labor, political participation).
MW.His.1.f. Investigate the ways in which antisemitic beliefs and other discriminatory policies in Europe led to the persecution and murder of millions of Jews as well as Roma, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and political prisoners during the Holocaust (e.g., Nuremberg Race Laws, Final Solution, Aktion T4).
US.Civ.5.b. Evaluate the effectiveness of individuals, groups, and institutions in addressing issues of civil rights and justice in the post-World War II era (e.g., disability, education, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, poverty, racial and gender equity, voting access).
All hope in public education should not be lost. This weekend I attended a Christian Educators conference in Hartford. If you know an educator who values their faith and is against cancel culture, have them read about Christian Educators at this link: https://christianeducators.org/ . Joining this organization as an educator is life changing.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – May 6, 2024
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
After reading the Biden Administration banned religiously themed Easter eggs from the White House’s Easter Egg Art Contest, I decided to search for the true meaning of Easter in newspaper archives, instead of the popular cultural celebration of bunnies and candy. During at time of global conflict, editors of this Italian newspaper, La Verita, Corriere del Connecticut, April 03, 1942, article, described the faith and Patriotism of Americans during a time of war in the United States (translated by Google). Buona Pasqua e La Pasquetta, and read more about Italian Easter traditions here.
How did we go from our faith as Americans in the Resurrected Christ leading the United States to victory against evil in World War II, to stopping children from designing religiously themed eggs during the White House Easter egg contest because Christianity might offend somebody?
It is the first war Easter which is celebrated in America since the time of the world conflict a quarter of a century ago. Therefore the first wish, which flows from our hearts today, is a vibrant wish for victory for the Starry Flag, which once again flutters over the skies of history and the world, as an unconquered and luminous symbol of freedom, of justice, democracy and human solidarity'. This wish echoes unanimously and solemnly from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from north to south, throughout all the lands near and far, where the Bands and the Stars shine and everywhere there is the eternal sign of creative civilization, inextinguishable and warning of America.
This serene, conscious and powerful wish, which makes Christian Easter sweeter and more beautiful, is also a cry of victory and a cry of hope for a better future for humanity, today gripped by the pangs of and from the terrors of fraternal carnage. Because America's victory means spiritual and material care for all the peoples of the earth; it means justice and understanding for the benefit of all, without racial discrimination, without differences in beliefs, without differences in politics or regimes. Because today America is fighting not only for its threatened security; but she still fights chivalrously, for the highest and most noble ideals of life and history; fights so that individual and collective freedoms are not forever trampled by sinister oppressions and so that the sacred heritage of dignity and civil conquests of the centuries is not confined and left to rot in the museum of memories and [die] disconsolately.
In the tremendous battle in which today is America is busy and all Americans are busy, there is the dazzling light that shone from the hearts of Mazzini and Garibaldi; of the Apostle, that is, of all the liberties of history and of the Hero of the Two Worlds, who with his glorious sword drawn, ran everywhere, where there was a tyranny to be suppressed, an unjust surprise to avenge, an ideal of humanity and civilization to triumph kings and everywhere the liberties of the people were threatened by tyrants. The same light shines today from the Capitol in Washington, in the shadow of the sacred memory of the Father of the Country and the Martyr President and as long as this light shines and illuminates the destinies of the Nation and the destinies of all humanity, it seems hope[ful], that all is not yet lost and that the day of resurrection will be certain.
In this first Easter of war, with the clear vision of the certain victory of tomorrow and with the hope of a better future for the whole world, after the horrendous blood bath, we approach the Glorious Risen One, while the camps Christian jubilees ring in celebration and while the white and crusader banners of the Church chatter in front of the moved hearts, the anxious souls and the eyes bathed in tears. Hearts, souls and eyes, which are passionately turned towards the battlefields, where our children are defending the honor and security of the homeland and are writing with blood and heroism, the new history of America rich and perhaps also that of the world. We feel close to them; we wrap them in our immense and grateful love and formulate our brightest wishes and most ardent wishes for them and for the entire fortunes of the country.
America is today more than ever, reaching out towards its fighters, who are fighting with indomitable courage, astonishing the world and astonishing the enemy himself. While they hold out for the greater glory of the Starry Flag, the whole Nation feels the indispensable duties of showing itself worthy of its fighters, worthy of its compact spiritual and political harmony become more intense and more pressing; worthy in its total cooperation; worthy in all its gigantic efforts to prepare for victory; worthy in its solidarity towards the Government, on whose shoulders lies the most terrible weight in history.
We couldn't in a better and more suitable way, greet the Resurrected is this first Easter of war, that of promising ourselves and our fighters, to silence all the passions that wear out our souls and wills and instead to unite the one and the other, to make the most of us triumph soon, the cause that America is committed to all humanity, to defend and support to the bitter end. Only with this firm promise and these firm resolutions, we can wish our distant children a very happy Easter and wish it to ourselves, while the cannon thunders and the sacred bronzes. [Adjusted Google translation]
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
In Chicago, activism by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, convinces city officials to reconsider the proposed ordinance to change Columbus Drive to Barack Obama Drive. Recently, IADL led an initiative to unify organizations in Connecticut by sending a letter in support of Columbus Day to Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Though education and socializing are crucial elements of embracing Italian heritage, expressing our opinions to decision makers is another key element. Here are the liaisons to these groups and some individuals who signed the letter.
Society of Saint Maria Maddalena
American Italian Women of Greater New Haven
President, Italian American Alliance – Connecticut
The Council of Italian American Societies of Greater Bridgeport
Constitution State Educators
Native American Guardian’s Association
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Saint Sebastion Men’s Club
UNICO National Stamford Chapter
Italian-American Defense League
Sons and Daughters of Italy, Valley Regional Lodge
Lafayette Club
Former Consul of Italy in Connecticut
Greater Hartford Chapter of UNICO
Canicattinese Society
Milford Columbus Committee
Classic Shows LLC
Abys Consulting LLC
Michael and Anthony Argento
Getachew Dires
Victor V. Fraulo
Frank Gentilesco
Ryan Wessels
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – April 1, 2024 (NO JOKE!) Click here to view a copy of the meeting agenda.
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Today, our newsletter begins with newsworthy headlines about everything Italian. First, famous pianist Maurizio Pollini died at the age of 82. Listen to the Grammy winning pianist on YouTube. Second, read about and listen to the music of jazz musician Vanessa Racci, who won the ISDA 2024 Donna Distinta Award. Learn more about Racci on her website. Third, the Chicago City Council is considering a proposal to change the name of Columbus Drive to Barack Obama Drive. Fourth, a Jewish writer proudly explains that Jews fleeing Spain were crucial crew members during Columbus’ voyage in 1492.
Once again, Journalist and Editor Umberto Mucci shares a digital copy of “We the Italians” magazine. The March 2024 edition includes an interview with Connecticut resident Cristina Carabetta. The attorney and member of the Italian American Future Leaders conference discusses the racial and ethnic categorization of Italian Americans.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
It was a pleasure meeting new IADL members at the Cabrini movie on Monday night. If you haven’t gone yet, we highly recommend seeing it on the big screen. Also, recently IADL received donations. Thank you for your generosity as we continue to educate, portray Italians positively, and preserve traditions. IADL’s legal efforts to return the Columbus statue to Wooster Square continue through the court system.
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to speak to Radio Host Vinnie Penn on air as his guest. IADL’s segment isn’t available online, but other links show that Italian heritage is on Penn’s mind. Listen to 960 AM short clips (two radio clips and three Facebook videos): 1. Why Not Paul Russo? (Which refers to IADL’s opinion piece in the New Haven Register); 2. St. Joseph’s Day Menu; 3. New Haven’s Little Italy is Getting Really Little; 4. Just a Made-Up Family Statue; 5. A Love Letter to Fair Haven.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – April 1, 2024 (NO JOKE!)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome Joe Limauro, our newest IADL member! Tomorrow, Monday, March 18th at 7:10 PM at Cinemark in North Haven, CT, we will have an informal gathering of members and friends who would like to watch the film CABRINI. Before and after the movie we can meet and greet one another, and discuss the film. Tickets can be purchased on the movie theater’s website here. Here is Fr. Mike Schmitz, a famous Catholic priest, and his reaction to the movie.
If a city knows how to throw a party, it is New Orleans. During March, there are several Italian-Irish heritage parades and activities. With St. Joseph’s Day (San Giuseppe) on March 19th, what a wonderful time to celebrate together! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and La Festa di San Giuseppe, and onomastico del nome Giuseppe e Patrick!
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Last week was a busy week for IADL. Our opinion editorial, March 14, 1891 lynchings were a catalyst for the Columbus monument, was published in the New Haven Register. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and the more people who read it, the better. Please share the link on social media to family, friends, and groups.
Also, the Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) announced a Seven Generations Alliance with Italian heritage organizations. Together with NAGA, we will oppose the “cancelation” of Columbus and Native American logos. We will officially vote to join this alliance at our next meeting. All people, groups, and organizations against political revisionist history, anti-Americanism, and cancel culture are welcome to join.
Why is it so important to come together? This convicted vandal, representing the American Indian Movement (AIM), toppled the Minnesota Columbus statue in 2020. He defends his anti-Americanism, proclaims lies about Columbus, and justifies his anti-Americanism in this interview. NAGA passionately opposes the actions and tactics of AIM.
We’ve made progress where coalitions committed to oppose cancel culture.
In New Hampshire, the bill to eliminate Columbus Day was defeated. The Friends of Italian Americans group was crucial in the win. Additionally, the House Committee on Rules did not take up the bill to eliminate Columbus Day and Virginia. Right in New Britian, Italian-American Alliance-CT won a public campaign to keep its Columbus statue on public display.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – April 1, 2024 (NO JOKE!)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Welcome Joseph M. Caruso, Sr., as IADL’s latest newsletter subscriber. Calling all IADL members, on Monday, March 18th at 7:10 PM at Cinemark in North Haven, CT, we plan to have an informal gathering of members and friends who would like to watch the film CABRINI. Before and after the movie we can meet and greet one another, and discuss the film. Tickets can be purchased on the movie theater’s website here. Please reply to let IADL know you are attending. Then we can look for you.
On Thursday afternoon, Phil Dickey, IADL Director, was interviewed by WTNH at the Christopher Columbus statue cornerstone at Wooster Square in New Haven. Though Dickey was recorded for an extended period of time, only a brief comment was included in the story. Dickey stated, “Our board is divided on the aesthetics of the [new immigrant] statue, but we’re happy to see it. We’d just like to see the Columbus statue back on its pedestal behind it.” Several members of the IADL board disagree with the decision of Marc-Anthony Massaro, the sculptor, who placed the woman immigrant behind the man. However, overall, the IADL supports new statues but not replacing the statues that our ancestors erected in the past. Read the text and watch the full news story at this WTNH link.
In Columbus, Ohio, the city government is seeking public input on Tuesday, March 12, about HOW to display its Columbus statue after it was removed on June 1, 2020. The decision to return the statue was possible because people of Italian descent and other stakeholders in Columbus, Ohio united together to ask for the statue’s return. Continue reading this story here.
Italian-American Defense League’s Actions and Happenings
Here is a preview of IADL’s letter to the editor that will appear in The New Haven Register next week:
March 14, 1891 Lynchings: Catalyst for the Creation of Wooster Square's Columbus Monument
The words cast on the plaque of Wooster Square’s Columbus Monument were “A Cristoforo Colombo Gl’ Italiani di New Haven.” The Italians of New Haven erected the Columbus Monument in 1892 after violence and lynchings against Italian immigrants in West Virginia and New Orleans. In the aftermath of the New Orleans lynchings of eleven Italian immigrants on March 14, 1891, a group of prominent Italian men from New Haven met and denounced the lynchings. The energy at that meeting was the catalyst for the planning and preparation of the events to follow.
On October 11, 1892, thousands at the Columbus Day parade lined the streets of New Haven for miles, including members of civic organizations from throughout the city. Two days later, the hands of Italians laid the cornerstone, and the Columbus statue was dedicated a little more than a week later on the twenty-first. Paul Russo, representing United Italian Societies, also a banker and first Italian to earn a degree from Yale Law School, dedicated the monument to Christopher Columbus on October 21, 1892. The statue, fully funded by Italian residents, faced Long Island Sound, the route to the New World. Columbus set the path for New Haven Italians to follow to the Land of Opportunity, and they admired him for his faith, courage, and spirit of enlightenment.
Without a strong national identity in Italy and living in the tenements of “Little Naples” in Wooster Square, 1892 marked an important date. It was the first time Italians felt part of a nation, part of America, because it was one of their own, Christopher Columbus, who connected two worlds 400 years earlier. Children across the United States pledged their allegiance to the flag for the first time on Columbus Day, 1892, showing its roots as a patriotic holiday. The Italians in Wooster Square championed the anniversary in New Haven with visitors from every part of the state.
The Wooster Square Columbus Monument marked two moments in history, 1492 and 1892. We are the beneficiaries of the New Haven Italians of 1892, and it is our duty to honor their wishes to keep their Columbus monument erected in perpetuity. It is an injustice that that statue was removed by an angry mob and complicit mayor.
Upcoming Events
IADL Monthly Regular Meeting, Guilford, CT – April 1, 2024 (NO JOKE!)
Are you interested in attending a Board of Directors meeting? Would you like to meet us, or provide your input? IADL meets every first Monday of the month at 4PM in Guilford, CT except when the first Monday is a holiday. Contact us ahead of time to attend our monthly meeting because of limited space. We would like to meet you in person and welcome more members to be involved.
Learn more about the Italian-American Defense League.
Website: https://iadlnow.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IADLnow/
Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/IADLPresident
Member of COPOMIAO: https://copomiao.org/
Italian-American Defense League is a 501(c)4 nonprofit charity and social welfare organization. The primary purpose of the Italian-American Defense League (IADL) is to promote mutual cooperation among its members, reinforce social welfare ideals with community involvement, and preserve the historical significance and achievements of Italian Americans. The IADL’s secondary purpose is to serve as a lobbying and advocacy group to local, state, or federal authorities and the private sector on matters of interest to Italian Americans.
Give to the IADL here! Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
Now is the time!
Italian-American Defense League is a registered charity in the State of Connecticut and a 501(c)(4) nonprofit
All donations are NOT tax-deductible
Copyright © 2024 Italian-American Defense League - All Rights Reserved.
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