In 1892 an elementary school in McMinnville, Oregon was named after Christopher Columbus, following the quadricentennial  of Columbus "discovering" America. Since that time our society has adopted Indigenous People's Day as an alternative to celebrating Columbus. We understand now that Columbus was atrocious to the natives he conquered in the 15th century. His acts include genocide, enslavement, murder, and torture of the native people of Hispaniola. He did this all in the name of greed and fortune.

Keeping an elementary school named after this man is honoring him and his brutal reign over an innocent and unsuspecting people. His behavior doesn't align with the values taught in any school in our land.

6 other schools in the McMinnville School District are named after past stewards and leaders of the community, as should Columbus Elementary. Please consider signing our petition with the hopes of bringing this issue to at least a vote by our school board and superintendent. 

Columbus never stepped foot in the U.S., let alone Oregon.