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Rules Committee approves sending Indigenous Peoples' Day ordinance to full Board
Summary
The Rules Committee voted to forward Supervisor Malia Cohen's ordinance amending the administrative code so the second Monday in October is designated Indigenous Peoples' Day, incorporating amendments recognizing the Muwekma Ohlone and referencing a 2007 Human Rights Commission report.
Supervisor Malia Cohen presented an ordinance to update the administrative code so the second Monday in October is designated Indigenous Peoples' Day, replacing references to Columbus Day in city communications and calendars. Cohen said she circulated three amendments: recognizing the Muwekma Ohlone as the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Bay Area, adding a reference to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission's 2007 report “Discrimination by Omission,” and clarifying the ordinance would not prohibit the city from supporting events that reference Columbus Day.
Members of the public spoke in support. Denny Leonard recounted past local efforts to revise Columbus Day observances and urged approval; Tony Ortiz and other residents emphasized recognition of Indigenous peoples and called the change a step toward reconciliation and community healing. Cohen told the committee the measure was "incredibly important and quite frankly overdue" and thanked tribal advocates and staff.
Committee members voiced support and, after a motion to incorporate the sponsor's amendments, the item was forwarded to the full Board with a positive recommendation "without objection." No roll-call vote was recorded in committee.
The ordinance now goes to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration on the Jan. 23 agenda (as the clerk noted items acted upon that day will appear on that agenda).
