The Falls Church City Council issued a proclamation on Oct. 7 declaring next Monday (Oct. 12) to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day.

To commemorate the occasion, the City of Falls Church is asking residents to “reflect upon the many contributions as well as the continuing struggles of Indigenous Peoples,” according to the city’s press release.

City Hall and all government offices, including the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Elections Office will be closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Falls Church will also not have any in-person early voting on Monday.

Curbside pickup from the Mary Riley Styles Public Library will not be available Sunday (Oct. 11) or Monday (Oct. 12). The library is already otherwise closed to the public due to COVID-19, as is the Falls Church Community Center.

In honor of this day, Falls Church will hold its third annual Indigenous Peoples’ Coat Drive at City Hall starting today (Oct. 9) until next Friday (Oct. 16). Donations will again go to support the Oglala-Lakota Nation.

Items requested for donation include new or gently worn winter coats and hooded sweatshirts of all sizes, baby blankets, new socks of all sizes, and bars of soap.

Once collected, they will be shipped to Re-Member, a nonprofit on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

The donation drop box is located near the elevator of the West Wing entrance of City Hall (300 Park Ave.), the press release said. All visitors must also wear a face covering before entering the building.

Times for donating will vary depending on the day:

• Friday (Oct. 9) – 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday (Oct. 13) – 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday (Oct. 14) – 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Thursday (Oct. 15) — 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday (Oct. 16) — 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Photo via City of Falls Church Government/Facebook