New York City

De Blasio refusing to march in NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day parade

Says he won't go since pro-gay signs aren't allowed

February 4, 2014 By Jonathan Lemire Associated Press
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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he won’t be marching in the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade.

De Blasio says he won’t partake in the traditional march along Fifth Avenue because of parade organizers’ refusal to allow participants to carry pro-gay signs.

This is a break from his predecessor Michael Bloomberg, who always marched. The parade is a tradition that predates the city itself.

De Blasio also did not march while public advocate.

The mayor says he won’t heed activists’ call to ban city workers from marching while wearing their uniforms.

Parade organizers say gay people are welcome to march in the parade but are prohibited from carrying identifying signs.

Organizers predict more than a million people will attend on March 17.

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