By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-27 22:11:09 | Updated at 2026-07-27 23:06:39
58 minutes ago
Democrats blocked Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman from speaking during the Bronx Dominican Day parade on Sunday — with one state pol admitting she snubbed him over ties to President Trump.
Blakeman wasn’t given the chance to address the crowd during part of the celebration on the Grand Concourse that involved comments from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
The Republican, who is currently serving as the elected Nassau County executive, was told by lefty Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo he couldn’t speak even though some in the crowd called out to “let him speak.”
Blakeman wasn’t given the chance to address the crowd during part of the celebration on the Grand Concourse that involved comments from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Michael Nigro for NY Post“This is exactly what life under socialism is like,” Blakeman said in a statement to The Post.
“Where free speech is prohibited, and only one party gets to communicate with the public,” added Blakeman, who said he was “invited by leaders of the Dominican community to speak.”
“It is clear that Democrat socialists don’t want the truth to be told that their policies will make people more miserable than they already are,” the candidate added.
Septimo openly admitted, “I said no” and kept the mic from Blakeman, whose opponent, Gov. Kathy Hochul, wasn’t at the event as she attended fundraisers in the Hamptons.
Lefty Bronx assemblywoman Amanda Septimo openly admitted she kept the mic from Blakeman. Obtained by NY Post“I don’t think it was appropriate for him to speak before a crowd full of immigrants, someone who has spewed such rhetoric to make remarks at the parade,” Septimo said.
“He could have been running for dog catcher. I would never platform someone like that.”
The longtime parade organizer, Felipe Febles, deferred to Septimo on whether Blakeman should add remarks.
“Bruce Blakeman is someone who has described himself as pro-ICE, and for everything the Trump administration represents,” Septimo said.
Blakeman brushed off the snub.
“Nevertheless, I had a great time meeting all of the good people of the Dominican community in the Bronx, and we celebrated the rich achievements that Dominicans have made to benefit our state, city, and country,” Blakeman said.
