Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Appears on MS NOW’s the Weekend
Zohran Mamdani on NYC Mayor's Office transcripts.
Passages
I think that for a number of voters, it was the first time that they were hearing of me. You know, I recall at the time in that primary it was an introduction more than an ability to persuade someone. And I knew that I was going up not only against another candidate, but frankly against a legacy of a name. And in the time since then, we've been able to show exactly what we are governing for, and that is the working person. And when we talk about a focus on the cost-of-living crisis, we know that for Black New Yorkers, that's not an intellectual concern. The city has lost 200,000 Black New Yorkers over the last few decades alone. From 2010 to 2019, we saw a 19 percent drop in the population of Black children and teenagers. So, in focusing on the affordability crisis, in delivering on that crisis, we are finally bringing the struggles of Black New Yorkers and New Yorkers across the five boroughs to the heart of our politics, and not just to the footnotes of it.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think that we need to have a vision that encompasses all of these things. We have to have an understanding of the impacts of class, and we have to an understanding of the impacts of race. We cannot divorce the racial inequities we see across this city, which are so stark in just the measurements of median household wealth and income from the political choices and decisions that have been made over many years. And I even think about — there was a policy that Rudy Giuliani had implemented of a tax lien sale, we found that the city was six times more likely to sell tax liens in a Black neighborhood than in a white neighborhood. That and the impact that it has on homeowners [is] one of the reasons why we put a pause to that sale. And I think it just speaks to the many ways in which government has exacerbated racism across not just the city, but frankly, across our country through its political choices. And it's time to actually address it through not only acknowledgment, but frankly through affirmative policy.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceYou know, I have not had direct communication myself. Our team is always in communication with the federal administration over a number of areas of disagreement, but we are fully confident in this report and in our ability to withstand any pressure.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think none of our values or our laws are bargaining chips. And we will not step back in the face of any of this kind of pressure because we're not embarrassed about these things, we're proud of them. It's what makes us New Yorkers. And so, if the federal government has issues with this report or any other policy, we look forward to that conversation, but it's not one we're going to shrink from.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWell, I think it is unfair in that I have an advantage in that we are both from New York City and we share a love of the city amidst many disagreements that we have, whether about the country or about the city. And one thing that the president said to me as well as to the public is the better the city does, the happier he is. And in that, I ensure that our conversations are focused on how we can do better for the city. And that doesn't mean shying away from disagreement. You know, I've sat directly with the president, and I've spoken to him about the fact that I believe that ICE raids are cruel and inhumane. I believe they do nothing to serve the interests of public safety. It just means being honest and ensuring that it isn't a conversation around personality or the two people who are there, but rather around the people of New York City and how we can deliver for them.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think there are a few things. One is a reaction of pain at seeing what people have to go through in these kinds of facilities. And these are conditions that — they offend the conscience of so many, not just here in New York City, but frankly across the country. This is partially why I have put forward a vision alongside so many others to say that ICE should be abolished, that there is no way to reform this kind of cruelty that we're seeing endemic in the way that immigration is being enforced across the country. When it comes to our city, we are proud of our sanctuary city policies. We are proud of the policies we've put forward and also the executive orders we've put forward to ensure that every single agency is complying with those policies.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think if we — we've listened to them before and look where we are. I think it's time to develop a new vision for this party, one that is unflinching in its beliefs and also uncompromising in its principles.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceBy delivering. You know, there's a lot of talk about the debate and what we have an opportunity to do here in New York City is to deliver on that vision. You know, two people can argue all they want, but when you show somebody the ability to deliver free childcare for 2,000 two-year-olds this year, 12,000 two-year-olds next year, every two-year-old by the end of four years, it showcases what we're fighting for and why we believe so deeply in it.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think we have to ask ourselves, how are people consuming the news? How are they understanding the world around them? And then meet them there. We cannot condescend any longer to the way people understand the world around them. We have to actually be there. And I think that also speaks to our politics. Too often, if you ask someone what they believe in, they're going to list off a five-step program for what it is that they would deliver for you. People want to know, what are you going to do for rent? What are you going to do for housing? What are you going to do for gas? What are you going to do for groceries? We have to have answers to that and that's what we're trying to show.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceI think that the party as a whole has lost its focus on working people and I'm hopeful that we start to develop that, and frankly, we used to have that. [Commercial Break.]
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceThis anniversary to me is a celebration of everything this country has fought to be and everything we keep fighting to ensure that it not only remains, but it can become. And as you said, I came to this country at the age of seven, living in New York City, growing up in this city. One of my proudest moments was when I got to become a citizen of this country, and it was only a few blocks away from where we are right now. And I think in celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation, we also celebrate the fact that every year our nation is reborn in that same image we were fighting against impunity, against tyranny, and with a belief in liberty. And even in the time from now until then, we will see so many more Americans being born, whether as children being born in our country or whether as people who are becoming citizens for the first time. And I can't wait to welcome them all here. ###
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source
Every passage above is taken from this recording: NYC Mayor's Office transcripts, Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Appears on MS NOW’s the Weekend.