Supporters of Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani found themselves trapped in a blocked-off area with no access to bathrooms or food during the New York mayoral inauguration “block party” on Thursday.
Danny Mahabir, 30, from Astoria, expressed his disappointment, saying, “This is definitely not a block party.” He had anticipated food and music to celebrate New Year’s Day.
Reports indicated that around 10,000 fans of the Islamic Socialists were gathered outside City Hall for what Mamdani’s staff labeled “the inauguration of a new era of block parties.”
Mahabir, bundled in three layers to combat the bitter 20-degree cold, remarked that he and others were “just stuck behind the barricades and watching on TV.”
Before Mamdani was sworn in, attendees heard from various far-left speakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Shane Turner, 30, from Brooklyn, shared his surprise, stating, “It’s not at all what I expected. I was expecting food and music.”
A 25-year-old woman from Queens, who preferred to remain nameless, remarked, “I may have been watching from home.”
Issues with security lines led to confusion and delays for some participants. Organizers had requested attendees to arrive by 11 a.m. for the 1 p.m. ceremony, which was set to start 30 minutes later. Another anonymous woman reported waiting 90 minutes to get to the viewing area.
“Officers are not informed; they don’t know what entrances are or where anything is,” she said. “I’m really, really unhappy.”
Mamdani’s team had previously cautioned on their website that there would be no portable toilets available at the event due to “safety concerns,” and also mentioned that “there will be no food sales within the block party.”
According to a report, Mamdani’s officials informed attendees that there were markets and food options nearby, but those wishing to access them would need to leave the enclosed area and go through security again to return.
Despite the circumstances, many present were still enthusiastic supporters of the new mayor.
“I’m not disappointed,” Turner stated. “I came here to witness history. The last four years have been hell under the previous mayor.”
