SouthernWorldwide.com – Actor Robert Davi, known for his role in the iconic film “Die Hard,” has voiced strong disapproval of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following the omission of Little Italy from a city map that was intended to highlight immigrant enclaves.
The map, titled “New York City Immigrant Enclaves,” recently resurfaced on social media platforms, drawing significant attention. Users pointed out that it failed to include Little Italy, along with historically significant Jewish and Irish neighborhoods. This omission occurred despite the map showcasing 30 distinct immigrant communities across the city’s five boroughs.
In response to widespread criticism from various Italian-American organizations, the city administration has stated its intention to revise the map to incorporate Little Italy.
Davi, who was born in Astoria, Queens, expressed his outrage towards Mayor Mamdani in a video shared on the social media platform X. He referred to the mayor as a “jerk” for what he perceived as a deliberate snub to Little Italy’s cultural significance.
“I hope every New York Italian American and Irish American spits on you when they see you,” Davi stated emphatically. “I would spit on you if I saw you. Shame on you, you garbage man. Shame on you. Respect the city you’re in and understand the people who helped build it.”
The veteran actor shared a personal connection to the immigrant experience, stating, “My grandparents came from Sicily and Naples and they taught me, speak the English. This is America. God bless America.” Davi, who is 75 years old and also known for his role in “Licence to Kill,” emphasized the foundational contributions of immigrants to the city.
He further elaborated on his family’s history, noting, “My grandfather enlisted in World War I and got wounded three times… he helped build New York City as an immigrant, an Italian immigrant.” This personal narrative underscored his deep-seated belief in the importance of recognizing and honoring immigrant heritage.
Davi also directed harsh criticism at Mayor Mamdani’s political leanings, describing him as a “leftist Marxist Communist.” The actor went as far as to suggest that Mamdani should consider leaving the United States altogether.
“Go back to where you were born, Mamdani,” Davi urged. “You don’t belong in America.” This strong statement reflects his view that certain ideologies are incompatible with American values.
Mayor Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and relocated to the United States at the age of 7. His background as an immigrant himself has led to differing perspectives on his recent actions and statements.
Furthermore, Davi proposed that a constitutional amendment should be considered to prevent Mamdani from holding public office in the future. This suggestion highlights the depth of his opposition to the mayor’s leadership and vision.
“You should spend time in America, at least a generation, especially those of you that come from a country that has a totally different philosophical ideology bent,” Davi advised. He implied that a prolonged period of immersion in American culture and values is necessary for those with different ideological backgrounds.
In response to the controversy, Mayor Mamdani provided a statement explaining the map’s origins. “This map was initially created by the prior administration in 2023, and when we inherited it, we added a few additional neighborhoods,” he said.
Mamdani acknowledged the map’s limitations, stating, “It’s clearly not an exhaustive list of the more than 200 ethnic communities that call our city home, and we’re going to be making additional changes in the future to reflect that and that includes Little Italy.” This indicates a commitment to rectifying the oversight and making the map more inclusive.
Historical records from the Library of Congress indicate the significant impact of Italian immigration on the United States. Between the 1880s and 1924, over 4 million Italians emigrated to the U.S., with a substantial portion, approximately one-third, choosing to settle in New York City.
