Letter: We still hold the values of Columbus's time

HARVEY MORRIS, defending Christopher Columbus, misses the point of the 500th anniversary. The significance of the opposition to the celebration of his arrival in the Americas goes beyond such a narrow historical argument. Indigenous peoples throughout the continent today continue to suffer from persecution and discrimination. More than half the population of Latin America lives in poverty.

The anniversary provides an opportunity to appreciate a history of resistance to exploitation and inequality, and to support the efforts of the Latin American peoples to build new societies based on democracy and justice. People who have been excluded from an active role in society for hundreds of years are now forcing their way on to the political stage.

Charles Arthur

Editor, 500 Years of Resistance

London NW6