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.The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which is responsible for holding the parade, invited Mamdani in the hopes of fostering a better relationship between City Hall and the Italian-American community, the New York Post reported.Mamdani’s past criticism of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, however, has sparked backlash among Italians who feel inviting the mayor is in poor taste."Are you kidding me? This is a WEAK and FECKLESS move by the organizers," Italian American Civil Rights League president Mike Crispi wrote on X.
"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."Crispi’s criticism was a reference to a 2020 social media post where Mamdani posted a photo of himself brandishing his middle finger at a statue of Columbus with the caption "take it down." Columbus holds a near-legendary status among Italian Americans, with the 15th-century explorer viewed by many as a historic link between their heritage and the United States.'DIE HARD' ACTOR ROBERT DAVI BLASTS MAMDANI AFTER NYC MAP OMITS LITTLE ITALYNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Feb.17, 2026.
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)"We feel cooperating is always the better path ..
.and we hope to create a good relationship with his office," Columbus Citizens Foundation president Christopher Loiacono told the New York Post when asked about his decision to invite Mamdani.
"We hope he will be more open to [working] with the Italian community."It is unclear if Mamdani has accepted the invitation to the parade.Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct.
12, with New York City’s annual Columbus Day Parade set for Manhattan."This is a man who has made it clear that he doesn’t r...