City renames Good Friday and Columbus Day to 'better reflect cultural sensitivity

If you're an employee of the city of Bloomington, Indiana, you'll no longer see Good Friday or Columbus Day on your calendar's holiday list.

No, you still have those days off with pay — but the city has renamed them.

From now on Good Friday is “Spring Holiday” and Columbus Day is “Fall Holiday,” WXIN-TV reported.

Mayor John Hamilton said the new monikers will “better reflect cultural sensitivity in the workplace,” he told the station, which said the move came after criticism over the city posting closing signs noting Good Friday and Columbus Day on city hall front doors.

“As a mayor we are in charge of government," Hamilton added to WXIN. "We do not set religious policies, we are not supposed to be part of religion and we are just trying to make sure that our government is open to all people and inclusive."

Bloomington residents seemed to have mixed reactions.

“Columbus Day … why change Columbus Day?” Mike Carson asked the station.

But Emily Nehus gave WXIN a different take: “I think that it is a courteous and respectful thing to do for various populations."

(H/T: Todd Starnes)