New York Not for Sale Rally Highlights Tensions
Attending the “New York Not for Sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium was quite the experience, especially with American Revolutionary Communists handing out their newspapers. The bold headline read: “Tired of Capitalism: Gen Z Wants a Revolution – Time to Organize.”
Honestly, it felt almost scripted, like something out of a scene with Elaine Benes’ boyfriend, Ned.
Despite the absence of actual overt communism on stage, the atmosphere, led by big names like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Zoran Mamdani, was filled with fiery critiques aimed at the wealthy. The event served as a strong warning against capitalism.
Interestingly, two of the speakers flew in on private jets, and while Mamdani might not be wealthy, the irony was thick.
The crowd’s biggest targets were familiar—President Donald Trump and Mayor Mamdani’s rival, Andrew Cuomo.
Every time their names, or the term “billionaires,” were mentioned, the audience erupted with boos and chants demanding the wealthy pay their fair share.
Comedian Sarah Sherman emceed the event, mixing humor with serious messages as she introduced union leaders, one of whom criticized Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol for prioritizing profits over workers.
Democratic Socialists of America members, like state Sen. Julia Salazar and Rep. Claire Valdez, rallied the audience to join their cause, citing Mamdani as a product of their movement.
The Resistance Revival Chorus sang “Which Side Are You On?” with City Auditor Brad Lander joining in, albeit with some questionable dance moves.
Personally, it was clear to me which side I was on. It felt like a line was drawn, and I definitely wasn’t on the side that would align with those sentiments.
AOC spoke powerfully about the city’s history, mentioning groups like Irish and Italian immigrants and people seeking refuge from persecution. This evoked thunderous applause.
Yet, it was curious that they overlooked the positive contributions these communities made to New York City. There wasn’t much recognition of the city as a place that nurtures innovation and hard work.
The focus seemed overly fixated on attacking the wealthy rather than discussing genuine progress.
Interestingly, there were claims regarding a hijab-wearing aunt being the true victim of 9/11—though whether this was based on reality remained unclear. Mamdani received the kind of applause reserved for rock stars.
He often pointed out the funding his campaign received, which raised some eyebrows.
In the crowd, I met a father and daughter from Queens at their first rally. John, formerly a federal employee and now a Republican disillusioned with the MAGA movement, was surprisingly leaning toward his daughter, Rebecca’s, left-leaning views. It was nice to see a family outing, even if I didn’t completely agree with their politics.
Another attendee, social worker Grace Downs, expressed her concerns about healthcare and affordability. She mentioned, “Zoran is charismatic and represents the Millennial generation,” which is a sentiment I’ve heard echoed quite a bit.
Notably, a lobbyist named Andrea Benitez turned heads in a DIY version of AOC’s Met Gala dress with “Tax the Rich” written on it.
I do understand many concerns about affordability shared by some attendees. However, I still think that neither socialism nor having inexperienced young leaders run the city is the right way forward.
Sanders acknowledged something similar in his speech, admitting his young followers “don’t have all the answers.” He emphasized that if Mamdani is elected, they’d need consistent support from the community.
“Please do everything in your power to make Mr. Zoran and his administration the best New York has ever had,” Bernie urged.
Yet, I believe this underscores the need to choose candidates with practical experience who truly understand how city governance operates. New Yorkers shouldn’t have to wake up worrying about aiding a novice socialist leader. There’s already plenty to be concerned about.
The choice should be about selecting individuals who are ready to hit the ground running from day one. It’s not a role for someone fresh from a theater background.
