Watch CBS News

De Blasio To March In St. Patrick's Day Parade After 2-Year Boycott

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday said he is ending his two-year boycott of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parade, now that it has fully dropped its longstanding ban on allowing gay groups to march under their own banners.

De Blasio told The Associated Press on Wednesday he'll take part in the 255-year-old parade for the first time. The parade will flow up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.

De Blasio skipped the Manhattan parade in 2014, his first year as mayor, because its organizers banned displays of gay pride.

He skipped the parade again last year, when one small lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group was permitted – even though last year, one group was permitted to carry an LGBT-themed banner.

Parade chairman John Lahey says he wants this year's parade to be the "most inclusive parade ever."

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.