The Christopher Columbus Statue in Pueblo s Mesa Junction was shrouded Friday with a large banner reading TAKE IT DOWN.
The banner was one of a few set by a group of activists in honor of Rita Martinez, a dedicated community organizer and Chicana activist who died Dec. 10 after battling COVID-19 at Pueblo s Parkview Medical Center for 14 days.
Her funeral was Friday. It looks like some people wanted to commemorate my mom, Rita Martinez, Vicente Martinez Ortega said. (Friday) is the day of her funeral and some folks wanted to commemorate her in their own way.
Martinez was best known as one of the most vocal leaders in the three-decade fight to abolish the Christopher Columbus holiday in Colorado a battle that was won earlier this year when Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill replacing Columbus Day with Mother Cabrini Day.