New York City Mayor Leader and Democratic Nominee Zohran Mamdani joins Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders On Saturday night, in an exciting town hall in Brooklyn, the two addressed the threat of oligarch control throughout the United States and how to fight it.
The event was held at Brooklyn College, Sanders’ alma mater, and attracted an audience of about 1,700 people. Mamdani and Sanders co-chaired the Town Hall Sanders’ Battle Oligarch Journeywhich includes gatherings in 20 states. Throughout the tour, senators have been actively supporting and recruiting progressive candidates to run for office.
When talking to the Guardian before the event started, Ajifanta Marenah, vice chairman of the Muslim Democracy Club New York“Zoran resonates with us because of his policy of fighting for a direct impact on our community.”
“We want a government that represents workers, low-income people. A government that will fight for housing, justice and immigration… we don’t want only one mayor who can only represent billionaires.”
Inside the auditorium, Mamdani and Sanders were thunderously applauded while walking on the stage, with students and seniors standing and cheering. Mamdani opened his address by condemning New York City’s decision Dismissal Four professors said they were fired for anti-war Palestine solidarity. The crowd immediately began a vibrant ode: “Free, free Palestine!”
Mamdani, there Supported By many celebrities and Member of parliament Including Cynthia Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, they continued to oppose capitalist greed, saying that “New York City is not sold to Donald Trump’s billionaire…not sold to companies, it is not sold to corrupt politicians” as the crowd burst into applause.
He condemned what he called the nation’s “attack on workers.” “It’s a struggle, and we made it clear that this is a city where we’re going to choose a name,” Mandani said, “It’s an honor to be here with our struggle idols.” ”
The 33-year-old democratic socialist, who is highly favored by progressives, has always been the thorn of the city’s billionaires. Vow to freeze the rent priceincrease housing and increase taxes of New York’s wealthiest 1%.
Sanders echoed a similar view, praising Mamdani’s campaign: “It’s not a 30-second TV commercial. It’s a grassroots movement.” He called the campaign “a test case of whether democracy can still prevail,” pointing to billionaire donors, technology and media oligarchs who allied with Trump, including Bill Ackerman, Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos, Rupert Murdoch and Elon Musk.
“What you are seeing now is an oligarch with a huge economic power and political power in both parties…[and] They were afraid that Mr. Mamdani would be an example of what could happen nationwide… They were afraid of death. ” Sanders said to applause.
“What we are talking about here tonight is, be with you. We’re going to take you on!” he continued, bringing the crowd up.
The senator also noted that the responses of mainstream and centrist Democrats, including New York State, were rather frustrating, and they were slow to accept Mamdani and their progressive policies.
“I find it difficult to understand how the major Democratic leaders in New York State do not support Democratic candidates,” Sanders said. “If the candidate starts at a 2% rate in the poll, get 50,000 volunteers, create Great excitementlet young people participate in the political process, let non-traditional voters vote, and the Democratic leaders will jump up and down! ”
“We have another battle on our hands, and it’s the future of the Democratic Party,” Sanders added to New York City’s business owners and wealthy donors. Rally to raise funds Opposing Mamdani and supporting former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and current New York City Mayor Adams, two Democrats became independent candidates.
Mamdani and Sanders asked some questions from the crowd, including Mamdani Under attack By the Trump administration.
“The key thing we can do in New York City is actually starting to provide legal representation to New Yorkers,” Mandani said. Mandani said he moved to the United States from Uganda and was born in Uganda with his parents of Indian descent. “o Increase funds by tens of millions of dollars to expand the program so that we can do everything we can to ensure immigrant New Yorkers do not live in fear.”
Sanders interjected, calling federal agents’ masked raids in immigrant communities “unspeakable” and “disgusting.”
With growing concern over Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard to New York City, Mandani answered a question about what he would do when such deployments occur: “First, we have to prepare for the inevitable of such deployments, we cannot convince ourselves because some things are illegal and Donald Trump will not do that.
“Partnership is crucial to fighting Donald Trump. Can you imagine Andrew Cuomo with [New York attorney general Letitia] James wants to…oppose deployment? Why did Donald Trump fight back when he tried to get him elected now? ”
Saturday’s event was shortly after New York City Mayor Eric Adams reiterated his plans. Adams’ decision is despite Report Trump is said to be Encourage him Exit the game to help Cuomo beat Mamdani.
Mamdani stressed the need to mobilize before the November election, saying his goal is to expand the record 52,000 volunteers who rallied his campaign this fall during the primary.
When Mamdani and Sanders were about to leave the stage, Sanders spoke to the crowd for the last time, pointing to the oligarchs in the United States and saying, “They have wealth. They have strength. Do you know what we get? We have people.”
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