Thousands Line Fifth Avenue for Columbus Day Parade

Thousands of people lined Fifth Avenue Monday to cheer the annual Columbus Day parade in the nation's largest city. 

Marching bands, floats and politicians marched up the famous thoroughfare.

The parade, beyond commemorating Columbus, has also become a celebration of New Yorkers of Italian heritage.

Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio, who are each of Italian descent, were warmly received along the route.

But the two men, who have been locked in a bitter political feud, did not interact during the festivities.

The crowds were enthusiastic on a mild fall day but the parade also annually elicits criticism.

Some people gathered near the parade to celebrate what they called Indigenous People Day out of protest of Columbus' treatment of Native Americans.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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