Protesters gathered outside Mamdani's 32nd Street office, carrying signs, chanting slogans, and staging provocative performances. An Astoria, Queens resident who has worked with Mamdani's office told NJEG Media that the Assemblyman was "ineffectual" in solving a problem his building had.
The conflict outside the office intensified when performance artist “Crackhead Barney” appeared dressed as a monkey, drawing sharp criticism and confusion from attendees. Crackhead Barney was previously known for her anti-Israel views and for harassing Alec Baldwin in a coffee shop. She demanded Baldwin say "free Palestine," which he did not do.
Other demonstrators called for Mamdani and his family’s deportation, demanded his resignation from the State Assembly, and accused him of attempting to bring “Sharia Law” to New York, as captured in video footage by Freedomnews.tv. "You're a f*cking disgrace!" Yelled one protester, saying "my grandfather killed f*cking Nazis like you! F*cking fascists! We invented fascism! You are f*cking Nazis! Go back to Westchester!"
The pro-Mamdani faction chanted "MAGA is Mussolini," "no pride in genocide," and simply "socialism!"
"How's he going to represent the city when he gives the finger to Christopher Columbus?" An anti-Mamdani protester said, waving an Italian flag. Those who opposed Mamdani chanted "USA" and "we love America!"
Italians for Zohran, co-endorsed by Irish for Zohran, said it supports a shift in Italian-American political identity away from colonial nostalgia and toward solidarity, immigrant justice, and working-class empowerment, values they claim Mamdani embodies. They also are in favor of a socialist makeover of New York City.
In a statement, Italians for Zohran said:
“Italian culture is not defined by colonial figures or political machines. Our pride comes from struggle, solidarity, and the belief that New York should work for everyone, not just the powerful.
"We reject the effort to weaponize our heritage against a candidate who has consistently fought for renters, workers, and the most vulnerable.”
Monday's protests come after last week's in front of City Hall, where crowds chanted “No to Sharia Law” and “No to Mamdani” under the rallying cry “New Yorkers Say No to Communism.” American, Israeli, LGBTQ, and Trump flags were displayed as demonstrators denounced socialism, communism, and Mamdani’s leftist platform.
