A Brooklyn Democrat who is a front-runner in next year's comptroller election has been expelled from the race. Italian Council of the City Council For refusing to take an oath of dedication to Christopher Columbus.
City Councilman Justin Brannan says he is “open” to renaming Columbus Day as Italian American Heritage Day, violating the organization's bylaws and doubling down on his comments from a year ago. party members said.
City Councilman and caucus chairman David Carr (R-Staten Island) told the paper, “The consensus among members is that we want to be adamant about the continuation of Columbus Day, which is non-negotiable.” Ta. “He said he was disappointed because we wanted to stay together as a caucus, but the idea was still open to him. . . . He would be disqualified.”
Left-wing Paul's initial opposition to Columbus Day in October 2023 prompted the caucus' conservative leadership to rewrite its bylaws, requiring future members only to have Italian ancestry. Instead, they opposed all efforts by the public to change the name of the federal holiday and cancel it. Italian explorers gain momentum.
“The majority of Italian Americans use the holiday to celebrate the countless contributions Italians have made to this country, not to worship any particular person, but specifically to combat violence against indigenous peoples. It’s not for worship,” Brannan said.
Paul also believes that indigenous peoples “deserve…their own holiday,” but he believes that replacing Columbus Day with a holiday called “Indigenous Peoples Day” would be a cause for concern for Italian Americans and indigenous peoples. He said he was opposed to the move, saying it would only stir up hostility between the two countries.
On Tuesday, six other members of the caucus hosted a council-sponsored “Italian Heritage Celebration” without asking Brannan to participate.
“The bylaws of the Italian Republican Caucus do not change the fact that I am Italian,” Brannan quipped when asked about the contempt.
The other members are Queens Republicans Joanne Arriola and Vicki Palladino. Bronx Republican Kristi Marmorato. Staten Island Republican Joe Borelli; and Queens Democratic Rep. Robert Holden.
Mr. Holden said he believed it would be easy to oust Mr. Brannan, who is about 70 percent Italian, from the caucus.
“If Justin Brannan wants to participate in presentism, he can do it outside of the caucus,” Holden said. “He should focus more on preserving our rich heritage rather than diluting it with the fads of Wakeism.”
