Indians claim Italy by right of discovery

Indigenous groups in Honduras carried a "death sentence" on the famous explorer Christopher Columbus after a mock trial for crimes they say he committed more than 500 years ago.

Columbus was "charged" with genocide and robbery in connection with his first landfall in the Americas in 1492, the anniversary of which fell on Monday.

Removing the arrows from their target

A painting of the explorer - showing him in his 15th century cap and tunic - had nine arrows shot into it by three Indian archers.

Known as Columbus Day in the United States and Hispanic Day in Argentina, 12 October was a public holiday across the Americas.

But for many of the continents' indigenous inhabitants, the anniversary of the first European arrival on their continent is no cause for celebration.

Old wounds, modern grievances

For the leaders of the 2,000 or so Indians gathering in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, Columbus' arrival marked the beginning of 500 years of genocide and theft at the hands of European conquerors.

A Lenca tribesman guards the statue of Honduran hero Lempira Eroe

Their sentencing of Columbus for these alleged crimes follows similar demonstrations in 1997, when activists tore down a statue of he adventurer that stood in the centre of Tegucigalpa.

This year, they plan to replace it with a statue of an indigenous chief who was killed fighting the Spanish invaders.

The protests are intended to draw attention to contemporary grievances.

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Indigenous leaders are demanding the return of ancestral lands they say were seized from them by force and the fulfilment of government promises of aid for their impoverished communities.

BBC Americas analyst James Read says that if Columbus were able to speak in his own defence, he might argue that he was being sentenced for the crimes of those that followed him, rather than for his own.

BBC News | Americas | Christopher Columbus - on trial

Read also:

Christopher Columbus 'executed' in Honduras - 10/14/98

Columbus on Trial

Indian Express: Indians to sentence Columbus for genocide

American Indian Movement of Florida (AIMFL) - Columbia Day Demonstration in Miami

Opposition to Columbus Day

American Indian Movement of Colorado: articles-October 14

Your Heroes Are Not Our Heroes

Native American Activist Smashes San Jose City Hall Statue of Christopher Columbus, Revered Mass Murderer

Columbus not a hero, doesn't deserve national holiday

Destruction of Columbus Statue - United Native America

Christopher Columbus and the Indians by Howard Zinn

Deconstructing the Columbus Myth

THE SLAUGHTER THAT CAME WITH THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS