CSJ Updates
October 2026
1) Library Displays for Italian Heritage Month
Once again CSJ liaisons are preparing to setup library displays for October in celebration of Italian
Heritage Month. These displays contain information pamphlets and bookmarks that help promote
the positive contributions Italians made to America and the rest of the world.
Lynbrook Library
Island Park Library
Valley Stream Library
Oceanside Library
2) This year the Long Island Columbus Day Parade will be held on Saturday October 10, 2026 1pm starting at the Deer Park Lake Avenue Firehouse followed by an Italian Food Festival at the
Constantino Brumidi Lodge. Come with the family and enjoy the day! A full article can be found here:
https://patch.com/new-york/deerpark-northbabylon/long-island-columbus-day-parade-returns-deer-park-what-know
3) Columbus Day is almost here! Are you looking for some fun, arts & craft, activities to do with your little family members or students? Here are some great ideas:
https://www.columbusedproject.org/post/24-fantastic-activities-for-columbus-day
4) For NYS CSJ, The Book of the Month Club is reviewing “Potentially Dangerous” a feature-length documentary on the untold story of Italian immigrants interned and persecuted as America's "Enemy Aliens" During World War II.
"When I obtained my dual citizenship in Italy, I realized that I had little connection to my ancestors'
homeland, and I wondered why. Then I discovered the reason - Italians in America were persecuted
during World War II, not for anything they had actually done but only for who they were and where
they were from. The trauma led many of them to hide their language, culture, and customs. Poten-
tially Dangerous reveals the untold story of what happened to Italians in America during WWII and
examines the lasting effects of these events. This story has modern-day implications and can help us
learn to treat others with empathy and understanding." - film director Zach Baliva.
September 2026
1) Cracking the Cold Case That Created Columbus Day
S.R. Perricone, a former federal prosecutor, has solved a pivotal case that went cold over a century ago — and the discovery needs to be preserved on film. Perricone, in his new book, Cobblestones: A New Orleans Tragedy, has identified who really killed New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessy in 1890, a crime that triggered the largest lynch mob in U.S. history to murder 11 innocent Italian immigrants. This led to a national shame not only for local Italians in New
Orleans, but across the country. This brutal tragedy is the reason Columbus Day exists. President Benjamin Harrison organized the first national Columbus Day holiday in 1892 as a peace offering to calm outrage between Italy and the U.S. and encourage tolerance toward immigrants. The CSJ is currently discussing options to help fund the production costs — filming, editing, and archiving — to turn Mr. Perricone's groundbreaking investigative work and historical presentation into a short
documentary film that can be preserved and shared for generations to come. Understanding history is the platform for peace, and this information has waited 130 years to be told. More details on this can be found on our Facebook Group: "Save Columbus Day."
A Go Fund me has been created if anyone is interested in helping out they can donate to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-the-film-uncovering-a-historic-tragedy
2) NYC to unveil new Columbus statue.
A new nonprofit is planning to unveil a Christopher Columbus statue in Brooklyn this October. The Preserving Italian Heritage Coalition, brought together by Chinese-American state Assemblyman Lester Chang (R-Brooklyn), is planning to house the statue at the John Hughes
Club in Dyker Heights, private property that keeps it out of the clutches of city officials. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, infamously gave the middle finger to a statue of Christopher Columbus in Queens and called for its removal in 2020, while he was serving as a state Assemblyman. The coalition is now looking to raise $100,000 to cover construction and maintenance costs. More details on this can be found on our Facebook Group: "Save Columbus Day"
3) Library Displays for Italian Heritage Month
Once again CSJ liaisons are preparing to setup library displays for October in celebration of Italian Heritage Month. These displays contain information pamphlets and bookmarks that help promote the positive contributions Italians made to America and the rest of the world.
4) REMINDER: Our annual John Dabbene Italian Heritage Essay Contest is underway.
If you are a member in good standing in one of our local lodges and have a child, grandchild, niece or nephew who will be in grades 7 through 12 in September 2026, that child is eligible to enter our “John Dabbene Italian Heritage Essay Contest.” The goal of this essay contest is to help students better understand their Italian heritage and culture. To that end, we hope that as parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, you will sponsor and encourage a family member to participate. The interaction between you and the student may present an opportunity to further enhance your family's knowledge of your Italian heritage. A winner will be chosen from each district throughout
the State from each grade category. Each winner will receive a $200 award for his or her essay. All essays must be mailed and RECEIVED by SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.