Chaos and confrontation erupted on July 21 exterior the Astoria workplace of Assemblymember and mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, the place dueling protests uncovered deep political and cultural divides in considered one of New York Metropolis’s most contentious election cycles.
Dozens of demonstrators waving American, Italian and Israeli flags gathered at 24-08 thirty second St., on one facet of thirty first Avenue close to Broadway, below the banner of the Italian American Civil Rights League (IACRL), and had been joined by members of New Yorkers First and the American Brotherhood Motorbike Membership. They opened the rally with the Nationwide Anthem and chants of “USA! USA!” In addition they displayed indicators that “Italian American pride is not up for disrespect, #StopMamdani”
“We are here today … because of a symbol of Italian-American pride, our ancestry. We will not be erased. And we are the manifestation of that today,” mentioned Frank J. Spotorno, one of many organizers and a member of the IACRL.
This got here as Spotorno, alongside different IACRL members, denounced Mamdani for what they perceived as cultural disrespect towards Italian-American heritage.
Throughout the road, Mamdani supporters — many donning shirts studying “Zohran Mamdani for Mayor” — responded with chants of “Socialism” and “No Pride in Genocide!” The back-and-forth quickly was screaming matches, with insults hurled throughout police barricades.
Dozens of demonstrators waving American, Italian and Israeli flags gathered at 24-08 thirty second St., on one facet of thirty first Avenue close to Broadway, below the banner of the Italian American Civil Rights League.Photograph by Robert Pearl
Protest over Mamdani’s remarks and politics
The protest was spurred by a resurfaced picture of Mamdani giving the center finger to a statue of Christopher Columbus, which critics labeled an insult to the Italian-American group. Protesters additionally blasted Mamdani’s affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), accusing him of hijacking the Democratic Celebration for radical ends.
“This is not about a statue. This is about who we are,” mentioned Gerard Marrone, vice chairman of the IACRL. “We are the breed of courage and perseverance. We will not be erased. Zohran Mamdani gave the finger to Columbus. That’s an affront to all Italian-American patriots who built this city.”
Different audio system denounced Mamdani’s ties to what they referred to as extremist actions.
“He’s aligned himself with pro-terror organizations like Within Our Lifetime,” mentioned one demonstrator, referring to the pro-Palestinian group that has drawn hearth for its rhetoric.
One protester shouted right into a megaphone, “He’s not a progressive. He’s a Marxist. He’s a socialist. He wants to bankrupt this city and turn it into a failed experiment!”
A Jewish girl who wished to stay nameless stood with the anti-Mamdani protesters.
“I am a proud Jew and Zionist who is here to support my fellow New Yorkers and Italians who all realize that Zorhan Mamdani is a danger to all of NYC,” she declared.
Chaos and confrontation erupted on July 21 exterior the Astoria workplace of Assemblymember and mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, the place dueling protests uncovered deep political and cultural divides in considered one of New York Metropolis’s most contentious election cycles.Photograph by Robert Pearl
Counterprotesters strike again
Mamdani’s backers had been equally vocal, although many declined to talk with the press. Some accused reporters of bias, whereas others reiterated their help for the candidate’s rent-freeze and class-based insurance policies. They waved the outdated Sicilian flag and what gave the impression to be the Arditi del Popolo banner — an Italian anti-fascist image born in resistance to Mussolini.
When the Mamdani crowd was requested why they help Zorhan, some declared that it’s “because of socialism” and “he wants to make everything free.”
Others chanted, “MAGA lies, people die” whereas waving an indication studying “No Pride in Genocide.”
“I live in a rent-stabilized unit,” mentioned a Mamdani supporter mentioned when requested why he backed him. “Freezing the rent would make my life tremendously better. His politics are for people like me.”
He praised earlier Mayor Invoice de Blasio for freezing his lease 3 times, however when informed that rents have elevated considerably since then, he blamed present Mayor Eric Adams.
At instances, tensions between the protesters and counterprotesters bordered on bodily confrontation, with a heavy NYPD presence preserving the perimeters separated. Mamdani supporters mocked protesters as “Nazis” and “fascists,” whereas some protesters referred to as for the “deportation” of Mamdani and his household.
Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran MamdaniPhoto by Lloyd Mitchell
The place Is Mamdani?
Including gas to the fireplace was Mamdani’s absence. The assemblymember, who lately participated in a Democratic main debate and pledged to remain in New York to “address New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” was revealed over the weekend to be touring to Uganda for 2 weeks.
Critics seized on a viral video montage circulating on social media, juxtaposing Mamdani’s public vow to stay in NYC along with his departure announcement.
“Why are you going to Uganda in the middle of campaign season?” shouted one protester.
Protest artwork stuns crowd
Including a theatrical twist, conservative artist and activist Scott LoBaido made a dramatic look with a cellular billboard depicting Mamdani and Mayor Adams rising from gasoline cans, every holding a lit match, with a fiery cityscape within the background.
“New York City will burn to the ground if either of these clowns are elected,” LoBaido wrote in his social media unveiling of the piece. The portray titled “Pick Me, Pick Me Again” drew loud applause from the protest crowd.
Political fallout
Marty Dolan, a Republican candidate for Public Advocate, was seen mingling with protesters.
“This isn’t about one ethnicity,” he informed attendees. “It’s about values, safety, and the future of New York.”
The one consensus of the protesters on who they help for Mayor, was “ABZ” — Anyone however Zorhan — as some had been behind Adams or former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whereas others held indicators for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Observers say the protest underscores the fractured and more and more hostile tone of the 2025 mayoral race.
As the gang started to skinny and police closed the demonstration after the permitted time expired, one protester turned to the press and requested, “Is this the New York we want—where radicals mock our history, insult our heritage, and run from accountability?”
