New York has seen a wave of protests against former U.S. President Donald Trump, with recent demonstrations drawing attention to broader political concerns. Among the signs reading “kings” and “tyrants,” many participants in Saturday’s “No Kings” rally focused on local politics, particularly the upcoming November 4 mayoral election.
The race has attracted national and international attention, with State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, emerging as a frontrunner. He will face off against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, his main opponent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani’s unexpected success in the race has been fueled by widespread discontent with Trump’s policies, prompting the president to consider deploying the National Guard and threatening to cut city funding if Mamdani wins.
Many first-time protesters and long-time organizers have expressed support for Mamdani, citing his background in local grassroots activism as a key differentiator from Cuomo. However, some remain concerned about how he would manage the city’s large police force, which maintains connections with federal agencies.
Participants emphasized the need for local policies that address the damage caused by the Trump administration. Jovana Liranzo, a 50-year-old mental health case worker from the Bronx, shared her hope that Mamdani would provide better support for immigrant communities, especially as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues its operations in New York City.
Liranzo recounted her father’s deportation to the Dominican Republic during Trump’s first term due to a drug conviction from the 1980s. She hopes to prevent similar outcomes for others. While New York’s sanctuary laws limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, she remains wary of current Mayor Eric Adams and reports of his collaboration with the Trump administration.
She views Cuomo, who shares many of Trump’s wealthy donors, as no better alternative. “Mamdani gives someone like me hope,” she said. “Cuomo can be bought.”
During the final mayoral debate, Mamdani criticized ICE as a “reckless entity” and pledged to work with Trump on reducing the cost of living. However, he also vowed to oppose the president on issues such as deportations and targeting political opponents, stating, “I will fight him every step of the way.”
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