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Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour has publicly called on her supporters to keep a watchful eye on Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race. During an Instagram livestream, Sarsour emphasized her role in holding Mamdani accountable for his campaign promises, particularly regarding the fate of the NYPD unit responsible for managing terrorism threats, protests, and riots.
In her remarks on Saturday night, Sarsour made it clear that supporting Mamdani does not mean relinquishing the responsibility of ensuring he adheres to campaign commitments. She stated that the network supporting Mamdani would not allow him to operate unchallenged once he reaches City Hall.
“I just want you all to know I’m not going to work for the Zohran administration,” Sarsour stated. “I will not be working in City Hall because, guess what? There have to be individuals like me willing to stay outside.”
Sarsour underscored the necessity of external voices to hold elected officials accountable. She noted, “Our friends on the inside need people on the outside to hold them accountable and to say, ‘We see you. We’re paying attention.'” Neither Sarsour nor MPower Action, the political organization she co-founded, responded to inquiries for further comments.
Background on Sarsour and Mamdani
Both Sarsour and Mamdani are associated with the Democratic Socialists of America. In their political journeys, Sarsour has played a significant mentor role for Mamdani. They collaborated on the campaign of Khader El-Yateem, a city council candidate endorsed by the Democratic Socialists, in 2017. Though El-Yateem did not secure victory, their partnership laid the groundwork for Mamdani’s subsequent political endeavors.
After joining the board of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, which Sarsour co-founded, Mamdani received her endorsement for his successful campaign in the New York General Assembly. Sarsour also backed his recent bid for the mayoral position.
MPower Action’s Role in the Election
MPower Action is part of a coalition of over 110 groups affiliated with the Democratic Party. These entities are working together to elect New York City’s first Muslim mayor. The coalition includes labor unions as well as Muslim and South Asian organizations committed to this historical shift in NYC’s leadership.
During the livestream, Sarsour asserted that her coalition would take action should Mamdani fail to deliver on his promises once in office. “When he does something wrong while in City Hall, I will tell him he is wrong,” she affirmed.
Accountability as a Movement Principle
Sarsour reinforced that voting for Mamdani should not equate to granting him carte blanche to act without accountability. “Voting for Zohran is not, ‘We will vote for Zohran and just let him do whatever he wants when he arrives at City Hall.’ Our job as a movement is to hold whoever goes to City Hall accountable,” she declared.
Despite Mamdani frequently referencing his religious background throughout his campaign, Sarsour dismissed any suggestions that his candidacy is primarily based on religious principles. She articulated, “Our candidate is simply a Muslim. This campaign does not revolve around religious issues.”
Mamdani’s Political Strategy and Challenges
On the campaign trail, Mamdani announced his intent to retain Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, stating on a podcast that he anticipates her cooperation in disbanding the NYPD’s elite Strategic Response Group. This unit has been deployed to manage anti-Israel protests in New York City since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023.
Mamdani asserted, “I believe everyone will follow my lead. I will be the mayor,” expressing confidence in his ability to guide the police department’s actions.
The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group
Established in 2015, the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group plays a critical role in managing large gatherings and protests. Following the October 7 incident, many protests in New York City were organized by groups now aligned with Mamdani’s campaign.
Sarsour has participated in and supported these demonstrations alongside Mamdani. She expressed her dissatisfaction with his decision to maintain Tisch in her current role, citing the need for accountability at all levels of government.
Future Expectations and Coalition Dynamics
Sarsour emphasized that if Mamdani is elected, he will owe it to his supporters to remain accountable. “When Zohran is inaugurated in January, as we move forward, we need to be the vigilant individuals outside,” she stated. She urged Mamdani to acknowledge that the supporters who helped him ascend to power are watching closely.
Additionally, Sarsour showcased her support for other Muslim candidates, including Amar Fateh in Minneapolis and Mussa Ali in Jersey City, both of whom are also backed by organizations aligned with her mission.
In her closing remarks, Sarsour invoked the Arabic phrase “Inshallah,” suggesting an optimistic hope for a new political era. She invited her followers to envision an innovative direction for politics in New York City.
