Bernie Sanders Joins Zohran Mamdani in Final Push for NYC Mayoral Race
In a significant rally for the New York City mayoral race, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, joined Bernie Sanders at a town hall event at Brooklyn College on Saturday evening. The gathering attracted approximately 1,700 attendees who engaged with both leaders on issues concerning the rise of oligarchic influence in the United States and strategies to combat it. This event was part of Sanders’ ongoing Fighting Oligarchy tour, which has spanned 20 states, focusing on supporting progressive candidates.
During the rally, Mamdani emphasized the importance of a government that prioritizes the needs of working-class individuals rather than the interests of billionaires. AjiFanta Marenah, vice-president of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, noted, “Zohran resonates with us because the policies he’s fighting for directly impact our communities.” The sentiment echoed in the auditorium as Mamdani condemned the City University of New York’s recent decision to dismiss several professors who had expressed anti-war sentiments in solidarity with Palestine. This statement sparked chants of “Free, free Palestine!” from the enthusiastic crowd.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist, has gained traction among progressive voters by pledging to freeze rent, increase housing availability, and raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers. His message resonated strongly with attendees, particularly when he declared, “New York City is not for sale to Donald Trump’s billionaires… not for sale to corporations or corrupt politicians.”
Sanders supported Mamdani’s approach, characterizing the campaign as a grassroots movement rather than relying on traditional media tactics. He described it as “a test case of whether democracy is still able to prevail,” highlighting the considerable influence of wealthy donors and corporations aligned with former President Trump. “What you are seeing now is an oligarchy with enormous economic power and political power in both political parties… They are scared to death,” Sanders said, igniting further enthusiasm among the crowd.
The senator also addressed the lack of support from mainstream Democratic leaders, questioning why figures in New York state have not rallied behind Mamdani. He remarked on the excitement generated by Mamdani’s campaign, which began with only 2% support in the polls but has since mobilized over 50,000 volunteers. “We’ve got another fight on our hands, which is the future of the Democratic party,” he stated, as financial backing for opposing candidates, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams, grows.
During the event, Mamdani responded to questions about defending immigrant communities under threat from the Trump administration. He proposed increasing funding to provide legal representation for New Yorkers in detention and pledged to scale up this initiative significantly. “We will ensure that immigrant New Yorkers are not living in fear,” he asserted.
Concerns over the potential deployment of national guard troops by Trump were also addressed. Mamdani recognized the need for preparation and collaboration among political leaders to resist such actions. “Partnership is critically important in fighting back against Donald Trump,” he noted, emphasizing the challenge of uniting political figures who may have conflicting interests.
Following the rally, Mamdani reiterated the importance of mobilization leading up to the November elections, aiming to expand his volunteer base from 52,000 to 90,000. As he and Sanders concluded the event, Sanders encapsulated the spirit of the gathering, saying, “They have wealth. They have the power. You know what we got? We have the people.”
As the New York City mayoral race intensifies, Mamdani’s campaign continues to gain momentum, reflecting a growing demand for progressive policies in local governance.
