I emerged from the Fulton St. subway station, shortly after noon, on New Year’s Day to observe the inaugurations of newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Comptroller Mark Levine as well as returning Public Advocate Jumanee Williams. NYPD had the blocks locked down, so attendees had to walk in the opposite direction to Liberty St. and wait in lines to enter the viewing area.
Although there was a large crowd, an efficient job of scanning bodies and checking bags led to people gathering on Broadway. Entering your senses were blessed by music blaring in sync with video on jumbotron screens that lined the street up to City Hall Park. Further up the block, the ceremony would soon start on the steps of City Hall.
There I stood in the middle of the inaugural watchers on Broadway near Reade St. The crowd around me was a salad of humanity. Muslim women in headwraps, Mexican men in sombreros, Africans in Kente cloth, groups of enthusiastic young adult whites. Present were teenagers with skateboards, middle-agers with knapsacks, and elderly people using canes. Hassidic Jews in black & Pakistanis wearing dashikis and Koreans in business suits.
Black people, in all our diversity, were present in the crowd but not the majority. I saw people interacting spontaneously with strangers standing next to them as the crows grew. Others danced to the Jumbotron videos, and some had their own tambourine instruments. Attendees received buttons and literature while glancing at the jumbotron, in anticipation of the 1:30 pm start. A mixture of calm, anticipation and excitement flowed through the crowd with no arguments to be seen.
When DJ mOma finished his up-tempo set and heavily hip-hop-influenced set, Javier Munoz came forward and sang the national anthem to start the ceremony. This cleared the stage for the crowd favorite, according to applause levels, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to make the welcoming address. The crowd was moved by her comments. Iman Khalid Latif and other spiritual leaders blessed the gathering and P.S. 22 Chorus of Staten Island performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” before the three elected officials were sworn in.
First was newly elected Comptroller Mark Levine. He was sworn in by NYS Attorney General Letitia James. Mr. Levine described the responsibilities of a comptroller. With his two sons at his side, he spoke briefly in Spanish, Greek, and Hebrew and highlighted the diversity of NYC’s leadership by noting that he is being sworn in using the Tanakh and later the public advocate a Bible and the mayor a Koran. Cornelius Eady then read the poem “Proof”.
Amado Lee, a naturalized Senegalese American introduced Public Advocate Jumaane Williams by sharing how much Jumanne has helped migrants. After being sworn-in the comptroller passionately shed tears as he shared his family history from Grenada. To inspire the crowd, he called the name of the Grenadian national hero Maurice Bishop. “The federal government drives us to despair, but local leadership can invite inspiration,” he urged.
The labor anthem “Bread and Roses” was performed by Lucy Dacus before Senator Bernie Sanders came forward to read the oath for the new mayor. His wife, Rama, held the Koran as all eyes were on the couple, standing at the center of the blue-covered stage.
The cold viewers on Fulton St. gasped in support of the youthful first couple. As usual, Mamdani made a powerful speech proudly proclaiming that he is a Muslim, an immigrant, and a democratic socialist and that with his mandate, he will govern as such. Listening closely, I appreciated the mayor’s references to Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and Jason Terrance Phillips (Jadakiss).
Educator and singer Tracey shared, “As a Muslim, I felt excited when I received my invitation to attend our new Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s block party/inauguration. It made me feel included. Although I was one in the midst of thousands, I received his message of equality and inclusivity loud and clear.”
When leaving, I saw community leader Omar and asked him why he was there. “I hope this new administration will confront all injustices, especially deed theft, and stand with the people in protecting our properties, histories, and future,” he shared with enthusiasm.
At the inauguration’s conclusion, I overheard some participants grumbling regarding organizers not providing food or bathrooms. Many more seemed satisfied having enjoyed the inaugural ceremony despite the lack of amenities and the freezing cold temperature. I and those around me seemed open to new possibilities in this New Year. Mayor Mamdani quoted Jadakiss and said we will be “Outside”.
