Zohran Mamdani's old post showing middle finger to Columbus statue sparks backlash: 'Inciting vandalism'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced flak recently after an old post from 2020 resurfaced, showing him giving the middle finger to a statue of Christopher Columbus.

Mamdani pulled off a stunning upset in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary in June, defeating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Italian-American leaders slam Zohran Mamdani over resurfaced anti-Columbus post

Zohran Mamdani made the post in June 2020, captioning it, "Take it down." The post features a photo showing what is presumably his gloved hand raising the middle finger toward a statue of the famed Italian explorer in Astoria, New York.

Around the same time, the Democrat also posted a poll asking his followers who should be honored instead of Columbus. The options included: "Tony Bennett (Astoria native, music icon), Walter Audisio (Communist partisan, killed Mussolini), Sacco & Vanzetti (Executed due to anti-Italian sentiment)."

The post drew backlash from members of the Italian American community, including Columbus Heritage Coalition President Angelo Vivolo.

"We will defend Columbus Day and Columbus statues," Vivolo told the New York Post. He added, "He is being disrespectful to the Italian American community. If you offend one community, you offend all communities."

Joseph Scelsa, founder and president of the Italian American Museum, also criticized Mamdani, saying it is unwise to alienate Italians, who make up 8 percent of New York City’s population.

"To eliminate such a large population of people would be a travesty. It’s not inclusive. It’s exclusionary. Who’s to say who is a hero and who is not a hero? Columbus is our hero," Scelsa added.

Mamdani was born in Uganda to parents from India. He has become a target for moderate Democrats and Republicans due to his socialist views. It was recently reported that he identified as Asian and African American while applying to college.

Zohran Mamdani faces online heat over resurfaced Columbus post

Several internet users criticized Zohran Mamdani after his 2020 post resurfaced, showing him giving the middle finger to a statue of Christopher Columbus.

One user wrote on X, "He’s a danger to New York City. This is inciting vandalism! Mamdani is a politician; he knows that if you want a statue removed, you go through the legal means, or else the city will just descend into chaos. Maybe that’s what he wants: chaos."

Another added, "Naturalization is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT. If the State Department considers someone to be a national security risk, we can revoke their citizenship. Send Zohran back to Uganda."

A user also stated, "You don't have to be here if you don't like it," while another mentioned, "Looks like he really hates being an American, but really wanted the citizenship."

One commenter wrote, "Americans of Italian descent, especially those who are the ancestors of the men and women who built New York City, deserve so much better than you." Another asked, "So why did you even become a citizen if you hate it here so much?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online