Hochul and Ocasio-Cortez Criticize Pro-Hamas Chants at NYC Protest
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed strong disapproval of a protest where demonstrators chanted “I support Hamas” in a predominantly Jewish area of Queens. This incident, caught on video, showed protesters waving Palestinian flags while voicing support for Hamas, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
The video circulated rapidly on social media and drew widespread condemnation from various political leaders at different levels of government. Ocasio-Cortez was particularly vocal about both the slogan and the context of the protest, stating that marching into a Jewish-majority neighborhood with the chant was an “abhorrent anti-Semitic act” and mentioned that it should be quite clear.
Hochul, sharing the video online, firmly denounced the actions of the protesters. She stated, “Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the extermination of Jews,” emphasizing that such rhetoric is “offensive, dangerous, and has no place in New York,” regardless of one’s political stance.
During the protest, demonstrators made their views known by chanting in unison while holding up Palestinian flags. This prompted Mayor Mamdani to later address concerns surrounding public safety, reinforcing the idea that slogans endorsing terrorism should not be accepted in the city. He stated, “We will continue to ensure the safety of New Yorkers entering and exiting our houses of worship and their constitutional right to protest.”
Interestingly, in previous interviews, Mamdani had avoided condemning Hamas outright, preferring to discuss the affordability issues facing New Yorkers instead. This latest incident of chanting aligns with the rising tensions over protests related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, especially after the attacks on October 7, 2023.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also weighed in on the matter, succinctly declaring, “Hamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists.” The overall mood in the city remains affected by these incidents, reflecting broader national sentiments as protests continue to evolve.
