In a subterranean ceremony shortly after midnight Wednesday, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York Metropolis’s 112th mayor, changing into the primary Muslim and, at 34, the youngest man in trendy reminiscence to steer the 5 boroughs.
The non-public ceremony was held contained in the deserted subway station beneath Metropolis Corridor — the crown jewel of the primary subway line to open within the metropolis, and a location the democratic socialist mayor chosen as a result of he stated it symbolizes his coverage aspirations.
“After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the City of New York, I do so, also, here in the old City Hall subway station, a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city,” Mamdani stated.
State Lawyer Common Letitila James, a key marketing campaign surrogate for Mamdani, administered the oath of workplace.
“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” stated Mamdani, who was joined by his spouse, illustrator Rama Duwaji, and his dad and mom, Columbia College professor Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair.
Mamdani is slated to be inaugurated with extra pomp and circumstance throughout a ceremony on the steps of Metropolis Corridor in entrance of 1000’s of supporters Thirsday afternoon. Hundreds are anticipated to cram the streets round Metropolis Corridor for what Mamdani’s crew has dubbed a public “block party.” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a fellow democratic socialist and a serious inspiration for Mamdani, was anticipated to swear within the mayor on the afternoon ceremony.
“I can think of no better moment to announce our new Department of Transportation Commissioner than this,” he added, calling Flynn to the station steps. “We embark on an administration that will take seriously the responsibility and the opportunity we have to make this streetscape and the public transit of the city we call home the envy of the world,” the mayor stated.
After working a marketing campaign centered on making the town extra inexpensive, Mamdani is predicted to face stress to shortly ship on his most important guarantees to freeze lease for stabilized tenants, make public buses free and drastically increase totally sponsored childcare.
Mamdani’s childcare proposal seems one other high precedence, particularly as Gov. Hochul has voiced public assist for it. Questions stay, although, over how an growth of free childcare can be funded.
Mamdani has proposed jacking up taxes on millionaires and companies as a way to increase billions of {dollars} in new income required to bankroll each his bus and childcare plans.
Hochul, who’s up for reelection this 12 months, is against a brand new tax on the rich, however hasn’t closed the door on placing elevated levies on companies doing enterprise in New York. Tax charges are set by the state, which means any will increase will all however actually want the assist of the governor.
Along with being the town’s first Muslim mayor, he’s additionally its first of South Asian descent, along with his dad and mom having immigrated to the U.S. after being born in India.
“He has lead people ever since he could,” Nair, the Mayor’s mom, instructed reporters. “But this was unimaginable, but, I think, quite beautiful. And I think, really, it’ll be the dawn of a new day.”
Mamdani takes over the reins at Metropolis Corridor after Eric Adams’ first and solely time period as mayor was marred by plenty of scandals, together with his now-dismissed federal corruption indictment.
On his means out, Adams took a number of steps to try to stymie Mamdani’s agenda, together with by making a number of appointments this month to the Hire Pointers Board in an effort to no less than briefly block the incoming mayor’s pledge to freeze rents for the town’s 2 million stabilized tenants.
Mamdani has vowed he’ll nonetheless have the ability to enact a lease freeze for every of the 4 years of his first time period. He hasn’t elaborated on how he’ll give you the chance to take action regardless of Adams’ strikes.
