Mayor Zohran Mamdani forcefully denounced the events that transpired over the weekend outside Gracie Mansion.
“New York City will never tolerate violence, whether from protests or counterprotests,” he said Monday.
What You Need To Know
Mayor Zohran Mamdani forcefully denounced the events that transpired over the weekend outside Gracie Mansion
The violent clashes between anti-Muslim protesters and counterprotesters, allegedly armed with improvised explosive devices, are emerging as a big leadership test for Mamdani
Despite the fallout, Mamdani still defended the right to protest
The violent clashes between anti-Muslim protesters and counterprotesters, allegedly armed with improvised explosive devices, are emerging as a big leadership test for Mamdani.
“I want to commend the officers who were on site. They faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could’ve become far more dangerous. NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Seargant Luis Navarro ran toward danger so others could run to safety,” the mayor said.
The mayor and police commissioner presented a united front on Monday morning at Gracie Manson. Mamdani even personally thanked the two police officers who apprehended the suspects who allegedly deployed the bombs.
“I think the public, even though some people may still have some mixed feelings about Mamdani in such a close election, [knows] the police department is in good hands,” Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, said.
She said Mamdani’s calculated approach to the situation seems to be faring well — especially his support of the NYPD.
Mamdani, in the past, has been critical of the police department’s handling of protests.
Gelinas noted that the mayor, who took a day to put out an initial response to the protests, is still within his first 100 days in office.
“He’s a new mayor. He’s learning on the job. Those are more not so serious flaws. I think they did a pretty good job today explaining the arrests,” she said.
As the investigation continues, Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state is helping keep the city safe, including state police increasing their patrols at sensitive sites and more than 1,000 National Guard deployed at transit locations across the five boroughs.
“Violence inspired by hate is intolerable. It’s not who we are as New Yorkers,” Hochul said at an unrelated press conference on Monday. “Let’s be clear also: the Islamophobic protest that triggered all this is abhorrent. It’s against our values as New Yorkers.”
Mamdani said he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, weren’t home on Saturday. They were at the New York City Sign Museum in Brooklyn.
Despite the fallout, Mamdani still defended the right to protest.
“While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen. Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred. It does not belong only to those we agree with. It belongs to everyone,” he said.