On Monday, several refugees from communist backgrounds and others in New York reacted with frustration after a clip surfaced of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani discussing his aim to “grab the means of production.”
Ali Kagan, a former Brooklyn council member and a communist refugee, pointed out that such rhetoric echoes the Bolsheviks from the October 1917 revolution, who seized control of production, imprisoned or executed business owners, and dismantled individual freedoms.
Kagan, who was raised in Belarus under Soviet rule, remarked that hearing Mamdani’s words felt “cold” to him. “It’s concerning and alarming,” he stated. “Most New Yorkers should reject this individual.” He recalled waiting in line at a government-run store in Minsk, a memory he seems to connect to his concerns.
Kagan, who identifies as Jewish, added, “He’s a Hamas sympathizer.”
In a resurfaced video from a 2021 gathering of the American Conference of Young Democratic Socialists, Mamdani emphasized that the goal of their movement is to cultivate socialism and elect unapologetically socialist leaders. He acknowledged that many socialist ideals, like boycotts against Israel and the notion of seizing production, aren’t widely accepted but should still be defended.
“It’s essential for us to organize and define our priorities,” Mamdani stated, reflecting on the readiness of people to engage in this discourse.
Kagan was among those who condemned Mamdani in the revived video.
After Mamdani’s unexpected win in the Democratic primary, former President Trump labeled him a “100% communist madman.” Yet, Mamdani insists he does not identify as a communist. “No, I’m not,” he affirmed during an interview with NBC. “I consider myself a democratic socialist.” He referenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stating the need for better wealth distribution.
Brooklyn Councillor Inna Vernikov, who also has roots in former Soviet Ukraine, criticized Mamdani for what she perceives as dishonesty regarding his political stance. She described his portrayal of “democratic socialism” as a cleverly packaged deception, urging New Yorkers to be cautious before it’s too late.
Vernikov’s mother, Rep. Nicole Mariotakis (R-NY), who fled Castro’s regime in Cuba, found Mamdani’s remarks particularly alarming. “This is the most disturbing thing he’s said, directly lifted from Karl Marx’s principles,” she declared. She shared her family’s experiences of living under a regime that confiscated property, drawing parallels to Venezuela’s current struggles.
Mariotakis expressed confusion over why individuals who criticize the U.S. would choose to immigrate here, suggesting if they favored socialism, they could have stayed in countries like Cuba or Venezuela.
Similarly, Queens Councillor Vicki Palladino voiced her concerns about Mamdani’s remarks, suggesting they reflect a deep alignment with communist ideology. “It’s clear he lacks any shared values with American principles,” she asserted, questioning Mamdani’s immigration application and calling for a reevaluation of his status.
The Mamdani campaign did not provide any comments at the time.
