NIAF, OSIA, and UNICO have all issued Press Releases supporting the Columbus Citizens Foundation, as the duly recognized representative of the NYC Italian American Community, and it's efforts to preserve their right to determine the content and tone of the Columbus Day Parade, thus choosing to NOT have any Cast members of  "The Sopranos" attend.

Each of their Announcements follow:
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FROM: Frank J. Guarini, chairman, National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE NEW YORK COLUMBUS DAY 
PARADE WITH SOPRANO CAST AND MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S 
INAPPROPRIATE CHOICE OF GUESTS

    The Columbus Citizens Foundation has the full support of The
National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the national organization
for Italian Americans that is based in Washington, DC.  NIAF firmly
believes that any member of "The Sopranos" should not be invited to the
Columbus Day Parade because the program perpetuates a negative and
inaccurate image of Italian Americans. NIAF is committed to promoting
the best of Italian American culture and heritage.  As a result, NIAF is
profoundly disappointed with Mayor Bloomberg's poor choice of invitees.
Why would Mayor Bloomberg invite "The Sopranos" cast members to this
important event rather than any one of the thousands of successful
Italian Americans who project a positive image?

    We support the Columbus Citizens Foundation's efforts to
preserve their right to determine the content and tone of the Columbus
Day Parade.

October 10, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
Contact: Elissa Ruffino, 202/939-3106-----John Marino, 202/ 939-3115
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SONS OF ITALY PROTESTS NYC MAYOR "SOPRANOS" PARADE INVITE

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2002 - The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the
oldest and largest national organization representing men and women of
Italian descent, has issued a severe protest to New York City Mayor Michael
R. Bloomberg, questioning his judgement in inviting members of "The
Sopranos" cast to march in this year's Columbus Day parade in New York City,
Oct. 14.

OSIA and its anti-defamation arm, the Commission for Social Justice (CSJ),
also have launched a national campaign urging its supporters to call and
write to Mayor Bloomberg to express their displeasure at his ill-considered
invitation.

OSIA National President Robert Messa issued the following statement:

"The Sons of Italy is deeply disappointed in Mayor Bloomberg.  He has shown
remarkably poor judgement by inviting these guests to an event that
celebrates Italian American heritage and achievements, particularly without
consulting the parade organizers.

By no stretch of the imagination does this violent television series, with
its amoral characters, profanity and skewed values of right and wrong
contribute to our culture.

The Sons of Italy joins the Columbus Citizens Foundation in demanding that
Mayor Bloomberg withdraw his invitation to the actors who have associated
themselves with 'The Sopranos.' The financial and professional gains they
now enjoy as a result of their participation in this television series have
been acquired at the expense of the collective reputation of millions of
Italian American men, women and children."

Established in 1905, OSIA has more than 575,000 members and supporters and a
network of 700 chapters coast to coast.  OSIA works at the community,
national and international level to promote the heritage and culture of an
estimated 26 million Italian Americans, the nation's fifth largest ethnic
group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The CSJ monitors the news, advertising and entertainment industries for
false, discriminatory stereotypes of Italian Americans.  It also conducts
research and public education campaigns on the history and achievements of
Italians and Italian Americans and works with other organizations to ensure
equal treatment and opportunity for all. See www.osia.org or contact
csj@osia.org.
--------------------------------------------------
Deputy Director: Dona De Sanctis << ddesanctis@osia.org>> 
Press contact: Diane Crespy, 202.547.8115, << dcrespy@osia.org >>
--------------------------------------------------
NEWS - For Immediate Release
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FROM: John Alati, UNICO National President
TO: Mayor Bloomberg:

As the President of UNICO National, the largest Italian American Service 
Organization in the United States, I would respectfully request that you 
refrain from having cast members of The Sopranos march with you in the NY 
Columbus Day Parade.  All too often Italian Americans are required to defend 
our heritage against the negative stereotyping portrayed in productions such 
as The Sopranos.

I would hope that you adhere to the wishes of the parade sponsor, Columbus 
Citizens Foundation, who have clearly stated that the cast members are not 
welcome.  To condone your action would be contrary to our mission statement 
which is to promote and enhance Italian American culture heritage and 
traditions.

Your invite was both insensitive and disrespectful.  I would ask you to 
please reconsider.

Sincerely,

John Alati
UNICO National President
Bus. 973-571-9744
Fax: 973-571-9740

UNICO National is the nation's largest Italian-American service organization, 
with approximately 6000 members in chapters throughout the United States. 
UNICO National's Disaster Relief Fund, administered under the tax-exempt 
umbrella of the UNICO Foundation, Inc., contributed to victims of the 9/11 
tragedy.  Other charities it supports include Cooley's Anemia Research, 
Mental Health Research, Scholarships, the 'V' Foundation for Cancer Research 
and is a national leader in fostering a positive image for Italian American 
while combating negative stereotyping and defamation.  UNICO National is 
located in Fairfield Commons, 271 US Hwy. 46 West, Suite A-108, Fairfield, NJ 
07004.  More information about UNICO and can be found at the UNICO National 
website, www.uniconat.com.
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