Mayor Bill de Blasio says he will not march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade due to organizer policies against outward displays of gay pride.
The mayor says he objects to policies against allowing participants to carry gay pride signs.
Activists have called for city workers, including police officers, to be banned from marching in uniform but de Blasio says he respects their right to participate.
“I will be participating in a number of other events to honor the Irish heritage of this city and the contributions of Irish-Americans, but I simply disagree with the organizers of that parade in their exclusion of some individuals in this city,” de Blasio told reporters Tuesday.
The mayor also did not march in the parade during his tenure as city public advocate.
The annual march along Fifth Avenue is the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, and is predicted to draw one million spectators this year.
Former mayor Michael Bloomberg marched in the parade every year during his time in office.
In a statement, the Catholic League said, “This is the first time in New York City history that its mayor has decided to boycott the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”
The organization’s president, Bill Donohue, says he has previously invited gay groups to march provided “they do not draw attention to themselves or to some extrinsic cause.”
He says the parade is not about anything but honoring St. Patrick.
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