Columbus Day Parade Organizers Invite NYC Mayor Mamdani, Sparking Outrage

Organizers of Manhattan's Columbus Day Parade have invited Mayor Zohran Mamdani to participate in the annual Italian-heritage celebration, a move that has drawn criticism from some Italian-American leaders. The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes the parade, hopes the invitation will foster a better relationship with City Hall.

Christopher Loiacono, president of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, stated that the organization is willing to look past Mamdani's past criticisms of Christopher Columbus and Italian-American heritage. "We feel cooperating is always the better path . . . and we hope to create a good relationship with his office," Loiacono told The Post. "We hope he will be more open to [working] with the Italian community."

However, some Italian-American figures expressed strong disapproval. Mike Crispi, president of the Italian American Civil Rights League, called the invitation a "weak gesture" and suggested Mamdani should apologize for past remarks. "I think that he should be coming to Italian Americans hat in hand, groveling for an apology for all the insulting and hateful rhetoric that he’s put on our people over the last couple of years," Crispi said.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) also voiced opposition, questioning Mamdani's sincerity. "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," Ariola said. "Why would he want to be there? To get pictures and pretend he’s a paisan now? He should sit this one out." Mamdani has previously faced backlash for his administration's omission of Little Italy from a city map of immigrant enclaves and for a 2020 social media post where he appeared to give a middle finger to a Christopher Columbus statue, with the caption "Take it down."

Invitations for the Oct. 12 parade were sent out last week. While Mamdani had not yet responded as of Friday, Loiacono expressed hope for his attendance.

Mamdani has also been invited to the Columbus Day parade on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, on Oct. 10, according to Carlo Scissura, vice chairman of the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Brooklyn. "We invited all the elected officials; we always love having the mayor of the City of New York at our parade," Scissura said, noting that Mamdani had not yet responded to this invitation either.

Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Democrat, is scheduled to be the grand marshal at the Brooklyn parade.

Councilman Frank Morano (R-Staten Island) urged Mamdani to attend the parade and show respect for Italian-American heritage. "He should understand why this holiday matters to us," Morano said.

The Mayor’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.