A state senator and an assemblywoman from Staten Island are blasting Staten Island Mall officials for arranging a public appearance featuring reality show star Snooki this weekend.
The "Jersey Shore" star's appearance is on a mall tour to promote her new line of sunglasses, and Staten Island Mall is a scheduled stop.
Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, is scheduled to arrive at noon at the center court, according to Staten Island Advance. Her "handlers" told the paper a large crowd is expected.
Senator Diane Savino and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis issued a statement Tuesday saying Snooki's appearance is "offensive to all women" because it attempts to legitimize her as a role model.
" Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} While we understand the notion that promotion is an essential part of business, especially during these tough economic times, we are dismayed by the message that this event sends to young women all over Staten Island and beyond," the statement said. "The actions set forth by Snooki in her reality show 'Jersey Shore' should be neither emulated nor celebrated."
A message was left with the manager's office at the mall.
