Ocasio-Cortez Supports Mamdani at Rally

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York passionately addressed a rally on behalf of Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor, on Sunday. She rallied support by recognizing various minority groups, emphasizing their contributions to the makeup of New York City.

Standing in Queens, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the histories of Jewish people, Black Americans escaping Jim Crow, Latinos, Native Americans, as well as Irish and Italian communities. The audience responded with enthusiasm as she raised her voice for about a minute, declaring, “This city was built by Irish people fleeing famine. Italians fleeing fascism. Jews fleeing the Holocaust. Black Americans fleeing slavery and Jim Crow! Latinos seeking a better life.” She also mentioned the strength of Indigenous peoples and Asian Americans uniting across the boroughs.

Aligning herself with socialist principles, Ocasio-Cortez is a strong advocate for Mamdani, who is currently leading in the mayoral race. She has previously criticized fellow Democrats, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for not backing Mamdani sooner. After some hesitance, Jeffries officially endorsed Mamdani on Friday, while other Democratic figures have lately begun expressing their support as polls suggest Mamdani’s rising popularity.

Mamdani has proposed significant changes, including freezing rents, increasing the minimum wage to $30 per hour, and establishing government-operated grocery stores and public transport. He also plans to create a new agency tasked with sending mental health professionals to respond to emergency calls.

During the rally, Ocasio-Cortez, alongside Mamdani and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, emphasized that supporting Mamdani would set the stage for a direct challenge to former President Donald Trump.