LA Council kills Columbus Day as US follows footsteps of lefty suburbs of Melbourne

Inner-city Melbourne is known for leading the nation in food trends. John Lethlean reviews a new sushi restaurant in The Weekend Australian Magazine, July 1:

First time round, it’s the prawn. The chef ... brings out a tray of blush live prawns, flipping and unready for the ultimate sacrifice.

But it’s been leading the nation in other things too recently ... The Australian, August 16:

The Turnbull government this afternoon removed City of Yarra councillors’ ability to conduct citizenship ceremonies, following the council’s controversial decision to cancel Australia Day celebrations and citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Now the world is looking to Melbourne to see just how one dumps a popular public holiday. The Los Angeles Times, August 30:

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to eliminate Columbus Day from the city calendar, siding with activists who view the explorer as a symbol of genocide for native peoples in North America and elsewhere.

Never mind that Columbus never set foot on North America. The Washington Post, October 14, 2013:

During four separate trips that started with the one in 1492, Columbus landed on various Caribbean islands that are now the Bahamas as well as the island later called Hispaniola. He also explored the Central and South American coasts. But he didn’t reach North America ...

The Los Angeles Times, August 30:

... the council made the second Monday in October a day in L.A. to commemorate “indigenous, aboriginal and native people.”

It’s a tale Aussies are very familiar with ... Darebin Mayor Kim Le Cerf speaks to The Australian after her council dumped Australia Day, August 18:

It is a date that has a big histor­y, a complicated history. Maybe it will mean shifting the date on which we celebrate the nation to a date that is inclusive.

Except Los Angeles have hit one little snag. The Los Angeles Times, August 30:

Italian Americans voiced anguish over the proposal, telling council members it would erase a portion of their heritage.

Never mess with an Italian. Christopher Columbus on the Biography Channel website:

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, or what is now Italy.

And if you’re going to play the identity politics game, be prepared to lose ... The Los Angeles Times, August 30:

“On behalf of the Italian community, we want to celebrate with you,” said Ann Potenza, president of Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California, speaking in a room packed with Native American activists. “We just don’t want it to be at the expense of Columbus Day.”

Back home, is dumping Australia Day just about reconciliation? Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly in The Australian, August 18:

We’re absolutely stoked about this from a financial point of view. All the staff get paid double time on Australia Day, so this could be a chance for us to save.

Or does money play a wee role too? The Australian, August 25:

Bassendean (City Council in WA) ... is also consulting locals, mainly because of the overbearing costs of its Australia Day events.