Brooklyn and Queens Columbus Day parades go on without Mayor Mamdani
Bensonhurst organizers say City Hall turned down their invitation, Astoria organizers say they never heard back, and Monday's Fifth Avenue march may also lack the mayor.
Two Italian American parades in the outer boroughs stepped off Saturday without Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In Bensonhurst, he said no to the invitation for the march on 18th Avenue. In Astoria, organizers said they never got an answer.
The Bensonhurst parade is run by Brooklyn’s chapter of the Federation of Italian American Organizations. Members said they had mailed the invitation weeks in advance, and that word of the mayor’s refusal came from City Hall on Thursday. The Mayor’s Office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Astoria Columbus Day Parade organizers heard nothing
The Queens federation said its own invitation was simply ignored. That parade wrapped up Saturday at the Columbus monument on Astoria Boulevard. Angie Markham, the group’s executive director, said the mayor’s absence “isn’t gonna make or break the event for me” and argued that Italian Americans have only one day to mark their heritage. Jerry Iannece, a criminal court judge who chairs the parade, called the scorn for Columbus among Mamdani and other left-wing politicians misguided.
Carlo Scissura, vice chairman of the Brooklyn federation, would not discuss the mayor’s decision. He said the group was proud and excited to stage its yearly march honoring Italian American culture.
Mixed reactions along 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst
Parade goers in Brooklyn were divided. Albert Esposito, 72, a retired schoolteacher, said he was disappointed because the mayor is supposed to represent everyone. Paul DeSpirito, 53, who runs an Italian sandwich and catering business in the neighborhood, called the decision “a slap in the face to the Italian American community.” Others said they were glad the mayor stayed away.
Monday brings the larger Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, and sources said Mamdani is unlikely to show up there either. Other Italian American groups criticized the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes the Manhattan march, for inviting him. Requests for comment to Christopher Loiacono, the foundation’s president, and to its other leaders went unanswered.
The tension goes back further. In July, the administration drew criticism when a new city map of immigrant enclaves left out Little Italy and other well-known ethnic neighborhoods. Mamdani said the list was not meant to be exhaustive and that future versions would include Little Italy.
Quick answers
Did Mayor Mamdani attend the Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade?
No. Organizers said City Hall told them on Thursday that he had declined their invitation to the Bensonhurst parade on 18th Avenue.
Will Mamdani march in the Fifth Avenue Columbus Day Parade?
Sources said he is unlikely to attend the Manhattan parade on Monday. The Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes it, had invited him.
