Furthermore, IF Mayor Bloomberg showed up with the Soprano Cast members, that The Mayor would be HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT!!!!!!!

In a conciliatory and most gracious gesture, Lawrence Auriana, president of the Columbus Citizens Foundation (Parade Organizer), said the Mayor was still most welcome to march in the parade, so long as it is without anyone associated with The Sopranos!!!!!!

ADDED NOTE: Co
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Thanks to Maria Fosco [mailto:mtfqc@forbin.qc.edu]

Federal Judge Says Parade Organizer Has Right to Determine Who Marches in Parade 

Press Advisory-October 11, 2002 
New York, For Immediate release

During a hearing today in Federal District court in Southern District of New York, Judge Ted Rakof said that the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which is the sponsor and organizer of the annual Columbus Day parade in New York City, has the right to determine who marches in the parade.

As is customary, the Foundation had invited the Mayor the City of New York to march in the parade this coming Monday. Mayor Bloomberg, in turn, invited cast members of the television show The Sopranos to accompany him.  When the foundation objected because of the negative image with which the show portrays Italian Americans, the Mayor insisted on being able to bring along his friends, so the Foundation went to court.

On behalf of the Foundation, George F.Brenlla of Clifton, Budd, & DeMaria, argued that the Foundation had the right to exclude from the parade persons it reasonably deems inappropriate in relation to the purpose of the parade and the mission of the Foundation. 

Michael Cardozo, Corporate Counsel of the City, argued on behalf of the Mayor that he had the right to invite anyone he wanted to march with him.  

The Judge concluded that when the Foundation had invited the Mayor, it had implicitly reserved the right to determine whether or not his guest where appropriate. 

Mr. Cardozo then represented to the Court that if the Mayor's guests couldn't march, the Mayor wouldn't march either.  

When Mr. Brenlla asked what would happen if the Mayor did show up with cast members as his guests, the Judge indicated that he could be held in contempt of court.

Commenting on the above, Lawrence Auriana, president of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, said While I am pleased with the Judge's opinion, I would have preferred for the situation to have been resolved earlier, and would still like for the Mayor to march with me in the parade, so long as it is without anyone associated with The Sopranos."
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