Zohran Mamdani, 34, is set to become New York City’s next mayor — a historic win that has sparked both excitement and concern. Supporters see it as “a generational shift in leadership,” while critics fear uncertainty about the city’s direction.

Controversy resurfaced when a 2020 tweet showed Mamdani giving a middle finger to a Christopher Columbus statue in Astoria with the caption: “Take it down.” The photo, part of a broader national debate on monuments and racial justice, reignited tensions among New Yorkers.

Italian-American groups, including the Columbus Heritage Coalition, said the gesture “felt dismissive rather than constructive.” Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized Mamdani for “dividing communities.” Others defended him, arguing that reexamining figures like Columbus “is not an act of hostility” but part of an honest reassessment of history.

Online, reactions ranged from outrage to reflection. Some feared for the city’s unity, while others noted that both pride and pain shape public memory. Many younger Italian Americans also question Columbus’s legacy, showing how views within the community are shifting.

Mamdani hasn’t addressed the tweet since his win, but the debate highlights a deeper challenge: how New York can honor its diverse histories while fostering “respectful dialogue” in a city built on many stories and identities.