Students and community members protested the celebration of Columbus Day at Sacramento State on Oct. 12.

The protesters believe Italian explorer Christopher Columbus should not be honored with a day of celebration because it is believed he committed genocide toward the native people of the Americas after he arrived.

The event was organized in part because of the recent controversy on campus about the Native American genocide discussion in the teaching of history involving a student and professor.

The protest attracted community members, former faculty members and students.

Updated at 7:59pm to reflect new photos of the Columbus Day protest.