Secession Discussions Rise Among Staten Islanders
Staten Islanders are reigniting their discussions about secession, feeling skeptical of the promises made by newly sworn-in Mayor Mamdani for their often overlooked borough.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, tried to connect with the community during his visit in mid-December, but his presence appears only to have fueled unrest in an area that was already the least favored in November’s election.
Borough President Vito Fossella expressed to the Post, “Staten Island has not embraced the socialist model.” He added that if residents feel their needs are being ignored, it’s understandable for them to consider leaving the city and directing their own future.
This isn’t the first time Staten Island has contemplated secession. Back in the 1990s, a referendum to break away received 65% support from residents after thorough study, yet Albany halted any progress.
The residents’ discontent has been building over the years, leading Fossella to create a new fund dedicated to investigating secession in 2023.
With a population of 493,000, Staten Island is actually larger than cities like Miami or Cleveland.
Many feel that Mamdani’s far-left leadership has intensified what they view as a crisis in their conservative borough. His limited campaign visits were often met with distrust and hostility.
During a gathering at Stapleton’s Shonaise House restaurant, Mamdani confronted his unpopularity and promised to address the local concerns. “Now is the time to show Staten Islanders that their concerns are a top priority in our administration and that we actually intend to make those concerns a reality,” he said.
However, there are contradictions in his commitments. For instance, calls for delaying the rollout of the City of Yes initiative seem to conflict with his pledge to deliver more affordable housing. He emphasized that Staten Islanders would benefit from his proposed “fast and free” bus service.
Mamdani reiterated his view of Staten Island’s significance, stating, “I consider Staten Island to be an important part of New York City. You can’t tell the story of the five boroughs without telling the story of Staten Island.”
He also paid a visit to Masjid-un-Nur, the borough’s oldest mosque, during which he remarked on the political importance of Staten Island while suggesting it should be seen as an opportunity.
Despite his efforts, local skepticism remains high. With only about 23% of voters supporting him, many right-leaning residents are determined to remain vigilant. One frustrated social media user stated, “This guy hates Staten Island. This borough will always be screwed over by City Hall.” Another echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for active resistance to perceived injustices.
Fossella mentioned that while there are no formal petitions or referendums active, he supports whatever serves the best interests of the district—whether that means cooperating with Mamdani or opposing him.
Leading the charge for secession is Congressman Sam Pirozzolo, who is advocating for his district’s exit from the city. He indicated that Mamdani’s leadership has sparked renewed interest in this discussion, noting, “Mr. Mandani absolutely opened the floodgates to having this conversation again.” In November, he read the Staten Island Declaration of Independence to a crowd, rallying support for another secession attempt, with several attendees signing the declaration.
