Zohran Mamdani, the frontrunner for New York City mayor and Democratic candidate, teamed up with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for a high-energy town hall in Brooklyn, where they discussed the growing threat of oligarchic control across the United States and strategies to combat it.
The event, held at Sanders’ alma mater Brooklyn College and attended by approximately 1,700 people, was a part of Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy tour, which has included stops in 20 states. Sanders has been actively endorsing and recruiting progressive candidates for office during this tour.
Before the event, AjiFanta Marenah, Vice-President of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, expressed support for Mamdani, highlighting his policies’ impact on her community. She advocated for a government representing working-class and low-income individuals, committed to housing, justice, and immigration.
Mamdani condemned the City University of New York’s decision to dismiss professors for their pro-Palestinian activism, leading to a crowd chant demanding freedom for Palestine. Addressing the audience, Mamdani pledged to fight capitalist greed and protect New York City from the influence of billionaires and corporations.
Both Mamdani and Sanders criticized the lack of support for Mamdani from major Democratic leaders in New York and highlighted the threat posed by billionaire donors and media oligarchs allied with Trump.
Mamdani and Sanders addressed the audience’s questions on issues including defending immigrant communities from federal raids and responded to concerns over potential deployments of national guard troops in the city by Trump.
The event concluded with a call to action, emphasizing the power of grassroots movements against the oligarchic influence, especially in this strategic moment for the Democratic party’s future.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/07/we-have-the-people-bernie-sanders-campaigns-with-zohran-mamdani-as-new-york-mayoral-race-enters-final-stretch
