Backlash Over Mayor Mamdani's Invitation to Columbus Day Parade

<p>A decision to invite New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Manhattan’s annual Columbus Day Parade has sparked backlash among some Italian-American leaders.</p><p>The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes the parade, invited Mamdani to foster a better relationship between City Hall and the Italian-American community, according to a report by the New York Post. However, Mamdani’s past criticism of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus has led some Italians to feel that the invitation is inappropriate.</p><p>Italian American Civil Rights League president Mike Crispi criticized the decision, stating, "Are you kidding me? This is a WEAK and FECKLESS move by the organizers. Zohran has showed contempt for our people and kissing a** won’t change his true feelings. Italian Americans need to wake up and get tough. It’s the only way to preserve our culture." This criticism references a 2020 social media post in which Mamdani posted a photo of himself giving the middle finger to a statue of Columbus with the caption "take it down." Columbus is viewed by many Italian Americans as a significant figure linking their heritage to the United States.</p><p>Columbus Citizens Foundation president Christopher Loiacono expressed hope for a positive relationship with Mamdani’s office, stating, "We feel cooperating is always the better path . . . and we hope to create a good relationship with his office. We hope he will be more open to [working] with the Italian community." It remains unclear if Mamdani has accepted the invitation to the parade, which is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12.</p><p>New York City Councilwoman Joann Ariola responded to the invitation by stating, "This is a man who has made it clear that he doesn’t respect Christopher Columbus, and he doesn’t even think us enough of a group to put on his immigrant enclave map. Why would he want to be there? To get pictures and pretend he’s a paisan now? He should sit this one out." Ariola's comment refers to a map of ethnic enclaves published by the city that excluded Little Italy, which also faced backlash from the Italian community. Mamdani's administration has since updated the map to include Little Italy.</p><p>Mamdani's presence at public events has previously drawn organized opposition. His attendance at the annual memorial service at Ground Zero on Sept. 11 led some family members of victims to circulate a petition asking him to stay away. Roger Stone, a political operative, stated, "Just as Mamdani's presence at the 9/11 Ceremony was inappropriate, we Italian/Americans don't want him on Columbus Day either."</p><p>Some individuals who are not Italian Americans have also expressed offense on behalf of the community. Jewish radio host Sid Rosenberg commented, "I’m not Italian but I’ve been an honorary dignitary for 5 years running at the Columbus Day Parade thanks to my friend Angelo Vivolo. The organizers of the parade invited [Mamdani] to attend? What? This Radical Islam mother f*cker gave the finger to a Columbus statue and left Little Italy/Arthur Avenue OFF his bullsh*t immigrant map … When did my Italian brothers and sisters become so soft! … I will NOT attend this year if he is there."</p><p>Crispi has threatened to hold a competing Columbus Day parade next year if the Columbus Citizens Foundation does not revoke its invitation to the mayor. The Mayor’s office and the Columbus Citizens Foundation did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.</p>