New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a stirring address on Friday morning to mark America's 250th birthday, railing against the country's treatment of immigrants and its capitalist system.
Sitting behind a historic desk used by George Washington in the Nation's first Capitol building, Federal Hall, now housed in New York City Hall, Mamdani spoke of America's history and its promise of freedom and opportunity. He was joined by a group of foreign nationals who had recently become naturalized citizens.
"Here at City Hall, as I sit behind George Washington's desk, alongside new Americans who came to this country, I cannot see all of America, but like so many who came before, I can see New York City," he said. "The city I see today looks very different than the one that greeted George Washington."
Mamdani went on to tell the story of how the American Revolution began and how it nearly ended at the Battle of Brooklyn, before referencing New York's outlawing of slavery. He tied both events to the idea of an "opportunity to begin anew," highlighting the country's ability to evolve and change.
The mayor also spoke of his own immigration to the US, saying, "My family did not arrive by boat, although we saw the Statue of Liberty from the window of the plane. Even from the air, we could make out the promise of America, the promise of the beautiful patriotic work of rendering America year after year a little more faithful to its founding ideals."
Mamdani denied the notion of "american exceptionalism," claiming that the country's true exceptionalism lies in its ability to change and adapt. He argued that modern-day immigrants from around the world can carry the torch of America's native ancestors and help shape the country's future.
The mayor turned to divisive rhetoric, targeting the powerful and wealthy, including figures like Elon Musk. "We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world, one where children go to sleep hungry while the world's first trillionaire hungers for more," he said.
Mamdani went on to criticize the country's treatment of immigrants, referencing ICE agents and the struggles faced by undocumented workers. He also spoke out against the country's capitalist system, highlighting the wealth gap and the dominance of powerful corporations.
"We see monopolies that dominate every industry and oligarchs who buy elections. We see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors, before spiriting them away in unmarked vans," he said.
The mayor's address ended on a hopeful note, emphasizing the power of the American people to demand change and create a more just society. "We see America each time neighbors link arms with neighbors without asking how long they have lived here or what papers they have, as ICE invades our neighborhoods," he said. "We see America each time those young and old stand in the beating rain or the stifling heat to cast their ballots."
