A declaration to make July 16th General “Mad” Anthony Wayne Day in Fort Wayne provoked a divisive discussion during Fort Wayne City Council.
4th District councilman Jason Arp brought the measure forward. He cited Wayne’s importance to the existence of not just Fort Wayne but the United States as a whole as his reason for the recognition, while questioning the patriotism and commitment to American history of those who opposed it.
At-large councilman and body president John Crawford opposed the measure, asking for time for the proposal to percolate among the public. Arp responded that it has been on the agenda for weeks.
6th District councilman Glynn Hines also opposed it; he pushed back against Arp’s claim of those in opposition lacking patriotism, adding that criticism and analysis of Wayne’s history should not be off limits.
“The Native Americans were native Americans, and instead of peaceful negotiations, opportunities to purchase land, it ended up being war," said Hines. "The genocide of the Native Americans impacted those Americans who were here first.”
At-large councilman Michael Barranda approved the measure, but for different reasons than many of his colleagues.
“It is a recognition and an opportunity to have a discussion," Barranda said. "There are good and bad things I learned tonight about General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, and I think that’s what these things do is start a discussion and allow us to talk about our history so we can learn from it.”
The measure was approved on a 5-4 vote.
