Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and New York City mayoral candidate, has ignited fierce backlash from the Italian American community after an old social media post resurfaced showing him giving the middle finger to a Christopher Columbus statue in Astoria while captioning it “Take it down.” The image dates back to June 2020 when Mamdani was running for state office, and his call for the statue’s removal deeply offended many Italian Americans who view Columbus as a symbol of their heritage and pride.
Resurfacing of Controversial Post Sparks Outrage
The 2020 tweet depicting Mamdani flipping off the towering Columbus statue in Astoria has reignited heated debate just months before the November mayoral election. Mamdani’s terse message to “Take it down” was interpreted as a direct attack on Italian American cultural icons and history. This community represents about 8% of New York’s population, making their support politically significant. Leaders like Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, publicly condemned Mamdani’s gesture and vowed they would not back him in the upcoming election.
Vivolo criticized Mamdani for disrespecting Italian Americans, stating, “If you offend one community, you offend all communities.” He stressed that defending Columbus statues and Columbus Day remains a priority for their community, and accused Mamdani of alienating a key voter base. Vivolo further expressed doubt that Mamdani could be mayor of all New Yorkers while holding such divisive views.
Political and Cultural Fallout
The backlash has not been limited to angry words on social media. The Columbus Heritage Coalition, along with other Italian American groups, is actively campaigning against Mamdani, emphasizing their opposition to what they see as efforts to erase their cultural symbols. The Italian American Museum’s founder Joseph Scelsa highlighted how Mamdani’s disrespect risks alienating a significant voter bloc.
For Mamdani, already known for his progressive platform, this controversy represents a pivotal challenge. His outspoken stance on Columbus statues ties into larger national conversations about historical reckoning and monument removal but clashes with the pride of many Italian Americans who view Columbus as a figure deserving of honor. As election day approaches, this issue could prove crucial in shaping voter sentiment in New York’s diverse political landscape.
The Stakes in the NYC Mayoral Race
With the Italian American community mobilized against him, Mamdani faces the task of balancing his progressive ideals and calls for social justice with the need to unify a city with many cultural constituencies. The Columbus statue controversy underscores the complexities of identity politics and history in New York City, where symbols like Columbus statues carry deep meaning for different groups.
Whether Mamdani can overcome this controversy or if it will irreparably harm his mayoral ambitions remains to be seen. For now, Italian American leaders remain resolute in defending their heritage, and Mamdani’s old “Take it down” tweet continues to reverberate loudly through New York’s political discourse.