New York mayor’s speech cut ideological counterpoint to policies of president, who will deliver his own remarks later today

New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, exalted the city’s legacy of immigrants on Friday in a historically laden, ideological counterpoint to a US semiquincentennial address that was expected later in the day from Donald Trump – who has sought to deport immigrants en masse throughout his second presidency.

Speaking from behind a desk at New York’s city hall that belonged to the US’s first president, George Washington, and which itself is a century older than the Resolute desk in the White House, Mamdani was surrounded by naturalized citizens like himself as he listed the waves of immigrants who shaped the city.

“Hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants arrived with stomachs aching from a famine manufactured by imperial cruelty,” Mamdani said. “Chinese sailors settled in what is today Chinatown. Millions more traveled under the Statue of Liberty and through Ellis Island. Jewish people escaping pogroms, Italians fleeing poverty. Syrians seeking economic opportunity.

  • Tolos@lemmy.world
    29·
    20 小时前

    I watched the whole speech. It’s about 15 minutes long but really good. About the best I could have hoped for from a political America 250 speech.

    It’s the best kind of patriotic speech, talking about the things that make America great (diversity and community and opportunity) and acknowledging faults past and present. And throwing shade at Trump and white nationalists.

  • MattEnglish
    108·
    1 天前

    “My fellow Americans” Mamdani knows the context of this phrase. Not my fellow New Yorkers.

    • benjirenji@slrpnk.net
      2·
      4 小时前

      He held it in front of recently naturalized immigrants. One line I’ll paraphrase I found interesting when he referred to them: they didn’t see themselves not just as New Yorkers, but American too, just like he did some 10 years ago.

      This tells immigrants in New York that they may not be American (yet), but they are New Yorkers. Very beautiful notion.

    • cybervseas@lemmy.worldEnglish
      60·
      1 天前

      I see comments from people all over the world who say Mamdani is their mayor, too ❤️‍🔥 Certainly hope more Americans outside of NYC can feel the same.

    • OwOarchist@pawb.socialEnglish
      10·
      1 天前

      Definitely setting himself up for a future presidential (or at least Congressional) run.

      And given his track record so far, I’d be happy to see that. Too bad the DNC will stop at nothing to prevent it from happening.

      • Treczoks@lemmy.world
        3·
        5 小时前

        Sadly, he can’t be president under the current constitution. But he would be far superior to any current and upcoming candidates.

        • crusa187@lemmy.ml
          5·
          21 小时前

          I don’t agree with that interpretation, and many scholars would argue it needs to be deliberated by scotus (but not this one) to settle things once and for all.

          The 14th amendment is quite clear, naturalized citizens are US citizens. And article 2 says US citizens can be president.

              • ImgurRefugee114@reddthat.com
                2·
                6 小时前

                There’s been some debate on what constitutes natural-born, mostly related to parental citizenship and territories in particular; but the language (and consensus over the last few two centures) is quite clear…

                The 14th amendment is quite clear, naturalized citizens are US citizens

                And being a citizen is not enough.

                • crusa187@lemmy.ml
                  2·
                  4 小时前

                  Ok but why is that the consensus interpretation? Do you think there might be some racial bias there which should be reexamined by the courts? I do.

                  I’m glad you agree with my interpretation of the 14th, because that is actually the part that is considered more up for debate.

                  I still don’t think you’ve read the relevant portion of article 2, so let me provide it for you here:

                  1.5 No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President;

                  …

                  a citizen of the United States

                  Can you explain to me why this “isn’t enough”?

                • CannonFodder@lemmy.world
                  1·
                  6 小时前

                  The SC has been diverging from precedent and ignoring the prevailing interpretation of the constitution for a while. It’s just a political branch now, thanks to the republicans. Once the democrats take back control, they can do the same.

    • homes@piefed.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 天前

      I’m done he knows when he says that, he means it

      However, refreshing to vote for a politician, who doesn’t have to lie

    • LemmyFeed@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      26·
      1 天前

      My face when they say taxing billionaires will make them leave the state.

      Mfw they say the DSA is taking over the Democratic party.

      • MBech@feddit.dk
        1·
        4 小时前

        “Oh no! The people who aren’t paying taxes are going to leave? Whatever will we do!?!”

  • TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world
    13·
    1 天前

    He’s new in politics and he’s already acting like a president. Could we see a new FDR in our lifetime? Both are New Yorkers after all.

    • 0ops@piefed.zipEnglish
      16·
      1 天前

      He’s not eligible because he isn’t a natural born citizen. That said I’d totally vote for him