NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani, bucking a tradition long observed by previous mayors, declined to march in the Columbus Day Parade on Monday.

The parade, and more broadly, the observance of Columbus Day, have come under controversy in recent years. Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ hero status has been undermined by his own violent treatment of Native Americans as well as his ushering in an era of genocide of the native population in the Americas.

As a state assemblyman in 2020, Mamdani posted a photo on social media of him giving the middle finger to a Columbus statue with the caption, “Take it down.”

The mayor has attended and hosted various cultural events, including parades, over his 10 months in office. A strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, Mamdani also skipped May’s Israel Day Parade.

In contrast, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul did march up Fifth Avenue in the Israel Day Parade.

Over the weekend, Mamdani released a video marked “Happy Italian American Heritage Month” in which he talked about the struggles and contributions of Italian immigrants.

“American history is New York City history. Their stories are not simply worth telling, they are worth celebrating all these years later,” Mamdani said in the video, naming Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Rep. Vito Marcantonio as inspiring Italian Americans.

The parade’s organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On the campaign trail, Mamdani indicated he’d be skipping some parades: “There are many parades that I would not be attending because I’d be focusing on the work of leading the city,” he said at a mayoral debate.

Last year’s Columbus Day Parade was canceled due to a nor’easter, allowing Mamdani as a candidate to sidestep the issue.

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