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:
========================================================
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
==========================================================
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
===========================================================
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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