Indians Voice Columbus Day Anger : Protest: Activists plan ‘Americas Before Columbus’ events, want Indian to ride with Rose Parade grand marshal.

An American Indian should be given the chance to ride beside Cristobol Colon, a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, in the grand marshal’s car during next January’s Rose Parade, actor James Edward Olmos said Monday.

Olmos made the suggestion during a Columbus Day news conference in Hollywood to announce a yearlong “Americas Before Columbus” celebration of the accomplishments of American Indians.

Tournament of Roses officials expressed doubt that the suggestion would be followed.

“I’m sure we will stand by the current decision (to have Colon ride alone),” said Bill Flinn, assistant executive director of the pageant.

Flinn said Colon was chosen as grand marshal by the president of the tournament, retired aerospace engineer Robert Cheney, and it would be up to Cheney to amend that decision.

“I don’t know whether he would consider (Olmos’) suggestion,” Flinn said. Flinn said Cheney was not available for comment.

The only change in grand marshal was made in 1952, when Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower sent an enlisted soldier to serve in his place. Eisenhower served as grand marshal several years later.

American Indians have been critical of the choice of Colon to preside over the 103rd Rose Parade, and Pasadena City Councilman Rick Cole described Colon, a Spanish nobleman, as “a symbol of greed, slavery, rape and genocide.”

Bill McCarthy, executive producer of the Americas Before Columbus program, told reporters that while plans are still fluid, events in Southern California probably will include art shows, musical benefits and poster contests.

He said that the celebration would conclude with a televised two-hour show on Oct. 12, 1992--the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s first landfall in the New World.

Among those making appearances during the news conference were Wayne Ducheneaux, president of the National Congress of American Indians, and actors Olmos, Iron Eyes Cody, Wes Studi and Sacheen Littlefeather, all of whom stressed the need for those of European ancestry to appreciate the concerns of Native Americans.

“Most folks seem to think the United States started when Columbus got here,” Ducheneaux said. “That ain’t really what happened. . . . There was a thriving society when Mr. Columbus landed on these shores. . . .

“When Hitler marched into Poland, the people in Poland didn’t celebrate that,” he said. “So you’ll have to forgive us if this isn’t one of the best days of our lives.”