NYC mayoral candidate faces backlash for flipping off Columbus statue

A controversial photo of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has resurfaced, causing quite a stir online and within the Italian-American community. The photo shows Mamdani flipping off a statue of Christopher Columbus in Astoria, New York, with the caption “Take it down” posted in June 2020.

Angelo Vivolo, the president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, expressed his offense at Mamdani’s actions, stating, “We will defend Columbus Day and Columbus statues. He is being disrespectful to the Italian American community. If you offend one community, you offend all communities.” Joseph Scelsa, the founder and president of the Italian American Museum, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and recognizing Columbus as a hero to the Italian community.

The backlash extended beyond the Italian-American community, with conservatives on social media also condemning Mamdani’s behavior. Actor Joe Piscopo, YouTuber Joey Salads, journalist Megan Basham, and several others criticized Mamdani for his actions, labeling him as disrespectful and ungrateful.

Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, has already faced scrutiny for his political views and controversial statements. His victory in the Democratic mayoral primary raised eyebrows due to his left-wing platform and previous calls to defund the police. Additionally, reports revealed that Mamdani identified as Asian and African American on his college application, sparking further controversy.

As Mamdani prepares to compete in the general election against candidates like Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa, and Andrew Cuomo, the resurfaced photo adds another layer of complexity to his campaign. While Mamdani’s supporters may see him as a progressive voice for change, his detractors view him as divisive and disrespectful.

It remains to be seen how this latest controversy will impact Mamdani’s mayoral bid, but one thing is clear – his actions have sparked strong reactions from various communities and political factions.