Catholic League president Bill Donohue has blasted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for deciding to boycott the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parade.
"Personally, I'm delighted," Donohue said. "I lead the Catholic League contingent every year, and I do not want to march with a public official who does not want to be associated with Irish Catholics."
De Blasio said he would not march in the parade up Fifth Avenue because organizers refuse to allow participants to carry gay-pride signs.
The new mayor's predecessor, Michael Bloomberg, always marched. De Blasio also did not march while he was New York's public advocate.
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"This is the first time in New York City history that its mayor has decided to boycott the St. Patrick's Day parade," claimed Donohue.
Donohue said the idea that the parade is anti-gay is a myth. He said other political signs, even those opposing abortion, are not allowed. "The parade is not about homosexuals, or abortion, or anything other than honoring St. Patrick."
The parade is a tradition that predates the city itself. Organizers predict more than 1 million people will attend on March 17.
The mayor says he won't heed calls by activists to ban city workers from marching while wearing their uniforms.
"So kind of him," said Donohue. "Otherwise he would be looking at an insurrection."
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