Mayor Mamdani steps off into New York City parade politics

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision to step off at this past weekend’s Lunar New Year Parade means he is now stepping into the politics of New York City’s parades.

As a candidate, he eschewed the idea — saying he would be too busy governing to march. “I haven’t thought much about parades, to be honest with you,” Mamdani said during a general election debate.

But as a mayor who rose to power by appealing to oft-overlooked constituencies like young, South Asian and Muslim voters, Mamdani has also governed with a pragmatic streak. And now that he has participated in a parade, Mamdani may face increased scrutiny for future parades he chooses to attend or — perhaps even more importantly — skip.

Parade politics have long presented mayors with a tightrope to walk. In the 1930s, Fiorello La Guardia was a fixture at certain parades, even riding horseback to mark the start of the 1939 World’s Fair. But La Guardia put his foot down when it came to what had been known as police parades, a tradition that dated back to the 19th century, where officers would march through the streets.

In 1989, then-Mayor Ed Koch proposed a parade to address the city’s deep racial divisions, only to walk back the idea a day later after eliciting a tepid reception from Black community leaders — including then-Manhattan borough President David Dinkins, who would go on to defeat him the Democratic primary.

In short order, Mamdani will need to decide whether to participate in one of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parades, which are steeped in their own controversies.

In 1991, when then-Mayor Dinkins gave up his spot at the head of Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade to march up Fifth Avenue alongside members of an Irish LGBT organization, he was met with racist and homophobic jeers and beer showers. Dinkins likened the experience to marching through Birmingham, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement.

“I knew there would be deep emotions, but I did not anticipate the cowards in the crowd," Dinkins said.

The controversy over inclusivity at the St. Patrick’s Day parades persisted for decades, although they all now permit LGBT groups to march.

Still, the mayor’s office would not say whether Mamdani will march in Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but did say he is committed to celebrating “the rich culture and diversity of our city.”

“The mayor sees parades as an important way to celebrate, protect, and stand up for all New Yorkers and also knows that this administration’s commitment to uplifting the vibrant communities of our city will be reflected not just in appearances, but in action,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said.

State Sen. John Liu, the first Asian American elected to citywide office, marched with Mamdani at the Lunar New Year event. He said there was an expectation that Mamdani would attend.

“This is a tradition that goes on for decades now,” Liu said. “The Asian American community is continuing to grow in size and influence. And so it was fully expected, and satisfied that the mayor attended.”

Liu acknowledged that the mayor may face scheduling conflicts for other events. Two of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parades fell on the same day as the Lunar New Year Parade. But Liu didn’t expect New Yorkers to give the mayor a pass for whatever parades he attends or skips.

“They're going to be just as pissed off if the mayor does not attend their events,” said Liu. “The only saving grace for the mayor is that whatever he doesn't get to this year, he'll do his best to get there next year or the following year.”

Another big heritage celebration is the Greek Independence Day parade in April, where billionaire supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis will serve as a grand marshal. As owner of WABC Radio, his station has offered a platform to many virulent critics of the mayor. But when it comes to parade politics, Catsimatidis says it's about the office, not the individual.

“The mayor is the mayor,” Catsimatidis said, “and he’s always welcome at any parade we have in New York City.”.

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