Marching in the Columbus Day Parade is a tradition for a governor, though Gov. Kathy Hochul declined a traditional media scrum before walking up Fifth Avenue.
Tucked behind a rope and banner, Hochul walked the parade route to some polite applause and a few loud boos.
Beforehand, Bruce Blakeman, Hochul’s Republican opponent in the ongoing governor’s race, took questions.
“The reason why they’re not taking questions, both Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani, is they can’t defend their record,” Blakeman said. “Their record is one of making people miserable, and one of supporting criminals rather than safer communities.”
The Nassau County executive denounced Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recent order for a review of the NYPD’s use of force.
“He wants them to second-guess themselves in situations where they have a split second to make a decision whether to use lethal force or not,” Blakeman said.
Blakeman also reacted to Mamdani skipping the parade that honors the Italian explorer whose reputation on the political left is that of a genocidal colonizer.
“I think that’s an afront to Italian Americans,” Blakeman said. “The fact is, he is a very divisive guy. He’s got people at each other’s throats.”
Instead of the parade, Mamdani cut a social media video in honor of Italian Heritage Month and Vito Marcantonio, a left-wing congressman from East Harlem and protégé of former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.
Meanwhile, Blakeman announced that Knicks and Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan will host a fundraiser.
Source: ny1.com
