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Leftist New York mayor under pressure on Irish unity question / Photo: © AFP
Leftist New York mayor under pressure on Irish unity question
New York's leftist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was facing pressure Tuesday over his position on Irish unification as he helped lead the city's St. Patrick's Day parade.
Mamdani has been an outspoken supporter of self-determination, particularly for the Palestinian people, a position that has put him at odds with pro-Israeli New Yorkers.
On Monday he declined to answer a question from an audience member about his position on Irish unity, saying "I gotta be honest, I haven't thought enough on that question."
And on Tuesday as Mamdani -- adorned with an Irish tricolor sash and shamrock boutonniere -- prepared to march in the city's parade, he was asked if he'd "had a chance to think more about a united Ireland."
"There's always more to learn, but I can tell you as someone who believes deeply in the principle of self-determination, that I think that should also be extended to the Irish. I think when it comes to the future of Ireland, the best people to listen to are the Irish," he said.
Following his answer Monday, Mary Rambaran-Olm, an academic specializing in medieval literature, said "can someone introduce Zohran Mamdani to the writings by his dad on British imperialism?"
"Selective anti-imperialism, the family edition. Anyway, the Irish aren't waiting for Mamdani to comment on a united Ireland, so whatev," she posted on social media.
Mamdani's father is Mahmood Mamdani, a political science professor who has written several books about colonialism.
There is heated debate in both parts of Ireland -- the British-administered north, and the republic in the southern part which was declared in 1949 -- about the merits and disadvantages of reunification.
Sinn Fein, which seeks an end to British rule in Northern Ireland and the unification of the whole island of Ireland, currently holds sway in the north having come first in 2022 elections.
Social media users joked that New York's centrist governor, who sits to the right of Mamdani on many issues, had a more progressive position on Irish unity than the mayor.
When asked Tuesday if she supported a united Ireland, Governor Kathy Hochul said "indeed I do."
New York hosts the world's largest St. Patrick's Day parade, attracting two million spectators.
The Bay Ridge neighborhood in Brooklyn is known as "Little Ireland" and Irish-Americans make up more than four percent of New York's population, according to official data.
N.Wasilewski--GL
