Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said he will march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16. Credit: DCPI
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said he will march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, separating him from the mayor and other city officials who are boycotting the celebration.
Bratton, who is Irish-American, was asked at an unrelated press conference on Thursday if he will participate in the March 16 parade. He replied, “Yes,” but did comment further, according to multiple news reports.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council said they will skip the event because of a rule that prohibits LGBT groups with identifying signs or banners from marching.
“The St. Patrick’s parade should be a time when all New Yorkers can come together and march openly as who they are — but right now that is not the case for the LGBT community,” City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said in a statement earlier this week. “I hope the organizers will eventually realize that the parade will be better when all New Yorkers can march openly and proudly.”
City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James have also announced that they will not attend the parade.
