"Would you unite Jews and Palestinians?": The new storm surrounding Mamdani

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sparked outrage among the city's Polish community after skipping the Pulaski Day Parade and canceling a traditional Polish heritage breakfast in favor of a broader "Eastern European" event. Community leaders accuse him of historical insensitivity.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sparked outrage among the city's Polish community after skipping the Pulaski Day Parade held on October 4th on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and canceling the traditional annual Polish heritage breakfast at Gracie Mansion in favor of a broader "Eastern European" event. Community leaders are furious over the decision and accuse the mayor of historical insensitivity and squandering the community's status. Polish activist Grzegorz Frycz wondered whether the city would dare to unite Jewish and Palestinian heritage celebrations into a general "Middle Eastern" event. Mamdani, a Ugandan-born Muslim serving as the first Muslim mayor in the role, has established a pattern of avoiding various parades since taking office in January, while being seen marching in parades of other communities.