Survivors of domestic violence are voicing their concerns about past remarks made by Zohran Mamdani, a socialist candidate for mayor in New York, who suggested calling for police intervention in certain situations.
These comments came to light through an “Immigration” podcast episode from July 2020, which was recently shared on a Washington-based YouTube account.
During the “Cross-Cultural Conversations” portion of the podcast, Mamdani stated:
Police don’t create safety… we place too much responsibility on them, and frankly, it shouldn’t be their role… There are various situations, like jaywalking or domestic violence, that are better handled by trained individuals rather than police forces, especially in tense environments.
His statements not only upset survivors and professionals in the field but also highlighted the long-standing concern that police involvement in domestic incidents can be particularly dangerous. These situations can escalate quickly, making interventions risky for those involved.
“Many in New York City are victims and they really do need protection—it can literally mean life or death,” one survivor mentioned to a news outlet. “They often find themselves hiding, sometimes with their children. Immediate help is essential.”
Sonia Ossorio, the executive director of NYNACT, expressed to reporters that women’s safety is significantly at risk and that having unarmed responders may further endanger situations.
“The primary source of serious injuries leading to women’s deaths in this nation comes from intimate partners,” Ossorio elaborated. “Prompt responses from trained law enforcement are crucial in critical moments.”
Interviews included those from women who faced similar circumstances. Ekenazi, a victim’s advocate, recounted her experience from 1993 when the police intervened during an assault by her ex-husband at their home in Queens.
I called for help, and they arrived quickly. They assessed the situation, ensuring my children and I were safe, even though I was pregnant. Officers removed him from the scene, effectively saving our lives.
Mamdani’s remarks were made in a politically charged atmosphere during widespread protests following George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis.
Previously, Mamdani, who won a seat in the New York State Legislature in 2020, has advocated for defunding the police, describing the NYPD as “wicked and corrupt.”
In 2020, amidst the chaos following George Floyd’s death, he provocatively claimed that “queer liberation involves refunding the police.”
Mamdani’s campaign website advocates for creating a “Community Safety Bureau” intended to allow police to focus on more critical situations rather than those involving mental health issues or failures in the social safety net.
In a recent discussion, he asserted that he wouldn’t support police refunds but aims to collaborate with officials on tackling homelessness and mental health problems.
