_(32766477903).png)
Columbus Day Parade, New York
Syracuse had Ben Walsh. Philadelphia had Jim Kenney.
And—now—New York has…Zohran Mamdani.
Count him as another Columbus hater taking City Hall.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined to participate in the annual Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue on October 12.
He offered no public explanation for his absence.
Mamdani also declined an invitation to the October 10 Columbus Day Parade in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, organized by the Federation of Italian American Organizations. Organizers of another Columbus Day celebration in Astoria, Queens, reported receiving no response to their invitation.
Columbus Day Parade, New York
_____
Columbus Hate
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s hatred for Christopher Columbus—shows no bounds. Based on Mamdani's past and present conduct, Italian Americans have very good reason to fear that every statue of Christopher Columbus in New York City could be at risk of official removal.
From the monument inside Columbus Circle in Manhattan to the Columbus monuments inside Central Park, in Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, to the bust at D’Auria-Murphy Triangle in the Bronx, and to the Columbus Monument at Columbus Square in Queens—the very statue Mamdani gave the middle finger to on his social media tweet in 2020. All are at risk!
Never let it be said that the Italian American community was disrespectful to the new mayor of New York. Quite the contrary. Although Italian American leaders were hurt and angry at Mamdani’s obscene gesture toward Columbus, he was, nevertheless, invited by them to march in this year’s Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan and the other boroughs.
His response: Forget about it!
Mamdani’s absence from the Fifth Avenue parade was particularly noteworthy. The annual procession, now in its 82nd year, celebrates the achievements and contributions of Italian Americans, bringing together community organizations, marching bands, civic leaders, and cultural associations.
Columbus Day commemorates generations of immigrants who endured discrimination, established businesses, built neighborhoods, and contributed to the cultural and economic development of New York City. A new mayor walking in the annual parade was most appropriate. Past mayors have done so. Why not Mamdani?
Mayor Zohran Mamdani
_____
Another Middle Finger to the Italians
In June 2020, Mamdani posted a photograph of himself making a disgusting gesture toward a statue of Columbus in Astoria, Queens. Accompanying the photograph were three words: "Take it down."
Just 8 years ago did Mamdani become an American citizen. Yet, he shows only contempt for the founder of New World. Sad is his lack of appreciation for the fact that had it not been for Columbus, there would be no America to allow him and his family to come to from Asia and Africa.
Angelo Vivolo, chairman of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, criticized Mamdani's absence, emphasizing that the parade celebrates Italian American culture and heritage, not simply Columbus himself.
Angelo Vivolo
_____
It’s Just Columbus He Doesn’t Like?
The mayor's office has sought to demonstrate its appreciation for Italian American contributions in other ways. Mamdani delivered remarks praising Vito Marcantonio in a prerecorded video address. A good man—yes—Marcantonio still doesn’t rise to the level of historical accomplishment of Columbus. Why praise him on Columbus Day? Could the reason be that Marcantonio—as is Mamdani—was an avowed socialist?
Don’t buy the act of Mamdani claiming to like Italian Americans; just not Columbus. He follows the playbook of the woke cancel culture left who seek to define our heroes for us. He and his ilk are hellbent to destroy Columbus’ legacy in America. Italian Americans—business owners, police officers, first responders, Roman Catholics, and American patriots—represent many of the traditions and values that woke cancel culture seeks to undermine.
Italian Americans of New York. Don’t let your guard down. Get organized. Be prepared. It’s just a matter of time before Mamdani seeks to tear down Columbus everywhere in New York. You will have the task to ensure he doesn’t succeed—in the courts, in the legislature, in the public forums.
Italian Americans from across the country are urged to stand with our brothers and sisters in New York as they prepare for the struggle that may lie ahead.
_____
Editor's Note:
Editor’s Note: Italian American advocacy groups are ready and able to help ensure Columbus’ legacy remains alive and well in New York forever.
The Columbus Heritage Coalition remains are key defender of Columbus in New York. Their official web site is: https://www.columbusheritagecoalition.org/
The Italian American One Voice Coalition (IAOVC) is a national advocacy organization dedicated to combating discrimination and negative stereotypes of Italian Americans, while defending Italian American heritage, Columbus Day, and Columbus monuments. Official website: www.iaovc.org
COPOMIAO stands for the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations.
It is a national coalition bringing together leading Italian American organizations to promote Italian American heritage, combat discrimination, defend Columbus Day, and strengthen relations between Italy and the United States. Official website: www.copomiao.org
READ HERE THE NEW EDITION - THIRD 2026 PRIMO
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Please visit our DVDs Page to shop our latest collection of DVDs on all things Italian: Films from Italy's Golden Age, Documentaries on Italian American life, ancient Rome, and religion.
Please visit our Books' page to review our latest inventory of books on all things Italian: cookbooks, history, art and culture.
Other articles to read...
