Mayor Zohran Mamdani skips Pulaski Day Parade and pivots to Eastern European reception

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined an invitation to attend the annual Pulaski Day Parade on Oct. 4, 2026, and announced an Eastern European cultural reception at Gracie Mansion for Oct. 22.

The snub sparked outrage among Polish American leaders, who view the parade as a major celebration of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War hero of Polish descent. Critics said the mayor’s shift to a broader “Eastern European” event ignored the distinct cultural identity of Polish New Yorkers, many of whom identify as Central European.

Former councilman Robert Holden posted on X, “Mamdani clearly hates Europeans, especially white New Yorkers. Period. First, he snubbed German‑Americans at the Steuben Day Parade. Then Polish‑Americans at the Pulaski Day Parade. Now Italian‑Americans on Columbus Day… I call it racism, plain and simple.”

Polish activist Grzegorz Fryc echoed the sentiment, stating, “Polish Americans are one of the largest European ethnic communities in America. Lumping Poles, Ukrainians, and Russians together shows shocking historical ignorance and disrespect.”

The mayor’s office responded that Mamdani is “deeply grateful and proud of the contributions Polish Americans have made toward our city” and highlighted the upcoming reception as an opportunity to celebrate Eastern European heritage more broadly.

Mamdani’s decision follows a pattern of declining several high‑profile ethnic celebrations since taking office in January. He passed on the German‑American Steuben Parade in September, refused to attend Columbus Day parades in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, and was the first mayor in over 60 years to skip the city’s annual Israel Day Parade in May. By contrast, he marched in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in March and the Greek Independence Day parade in May.

On the day of the Pulaski Parade, the mayor’s public schedule listed only a 5 p.m. church service at an undisclosed location, occurring hours after the parade’s conclusion.

Polish community leaders said they will bring their concerns to the City Council at the next hearing, while the mayor’s office has not issued a further comment on the criticism.