The vigil honored those killed in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in Israel as well as Palestinians killed in the ongoing Gaza war.
By Shula Rosen
Pro-Palestinian activists turned on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday, protesting his appearance at an October 7 coexistence vigil and accusing him of betraying the movement that helped support him.
The demonstration outside City Hall was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, Within Our Lifetime and Pal-Awda. Many participants belonged to Democratic Socialists of America, the organization of which Mamdani is also a member.
“Mayor Mamdani, pick a side, justice or genocide,” the crowd chanted.
“Muslim mayor, we know you, you’re a normalizer too,” protesters also shouted, along with, “Tell me what you’re fighting for: intifada people’s war.”
Mamdani attended an event held by the left-wing Israelis for Peace New York in Manhattan’s Union Square Park.
The vigil honored those killed in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in Israel as well as Palestinians killed in the ongoing Gaza war.
“This mayor ran on a campaign to make promises to this community,” one speaker said. “From his first day in office, he has failed.”
His participation in the vigil was not the protesters’ only complaint.
They also targeted his decision to retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, along with protest policing, Israel real estate events in New York and public college system investments in defense companies.
After leaving City Hall, some demonstrators marched toward Union Square. Hamas and Hezbollah flags, photographs of terror leaders and terrorist headbands were visible among protesters.
One participant confronted a pro-Israel counterprotester, calling her a “Nazi bitch” and saying, “You’re all pedophiles.”
Separate October 7 protests were held elsewhere in New York City. At Columbia University, Students for Justice in Palestine held one of the anti-Israel demonstrations it organizes annually on the anniversary of the attack.
Mamdani simultaneously faced criticism from Israel supporters Wednesday over his own October 7 message on X.
“The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza,” Mamdani wrote.
He further accused Israel of withholding humanitarian supplies and targeting journalists and civilians, allegations Israel has consistently denied.
The Anti-Defamation League and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee condemned his statement.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Fox News he was “seething” over the post and “ashamed of New York for ever electing this guy.”
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