New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacted to pro-Hamas chants bellowed at a Thursday night protest in Queens, saying in part the following day that demonstrations in support of "a terrorist organization have no place in our city."
Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email on Friday night for comment.
A protest outside a Queens synagogue drew national attention after pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted in support of Hamas and pro-Israel counter-demonstrators responded with slurs and threats, The New York Times reports. The clash, which occurred in the Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood -- home to a significant Orthodox Jewish community -- prompted widespread condemnation.
The rhetoric at the protest has reignited debate over rising antisemitism, public safety and the responsibility of political leaders to condemn hate speech.
The demonstration unfolded Thursday night during an event promoting American real estate investment in Jerusalem. Pro-Palestinian protesters chanted in support of Hamas, saying, "Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here," while counterprotesters shouted racial and homophobic slurs, per the Times.
When asked by reporters about the protest chants on Friday, Mamdani said, "the rhetoric and displays that we saw" at the protest "are wrong and have no place in our city," the Times reports.
"My team is in close touch with the N.Y.P.D. [New York City Police Department] regarding last night's protest and counterprotest," Mamdani added in a statement to the news outlet. "We will continue to ensure New Yorkers' safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest."
The publication says the statement was sent "hours after he made similar remarks at an event shortly after noon."
Taking to X on Friday evening, Mamdani reiterated his condemnation of the pro-Hamas outcry, saying, "As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers' safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest."
Mamdani also faced some backlash on social media for the timing of his remarks.
New York State Democratic Assemblymember Sam Berger said on X Friday morning, "Still waiting on condemnation of support for Hamas at a protest in a Jewish neighborhood from @NYCMayor"
X account Israel War Room also said on Friday morning, "Terror supporters in NYC explicitly chanted their allegiance to Hamas, the genocidal, anti-American terror group. Leaders must universally condemn this disgusting support for terrorists who want to annihilate Jews worldwide. We await your condemnation, Mayor Mamdani @NYCMayor."
Adam Carlson, founding partner of Zenith Research polling, said on X Friday: "I am a vocal & passionate support [sic] of Mamdani's But I've waited patiently all day for him to forcefully condemn Hamas -- watching dozens of other city & state electeds do so -- and am still waiting This is not only hurtful to me but it's bad politics & distracts from his agenda"
Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on X Friday morning: "Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews. No matter your political beliefs, this type of rhetoric is disgusting, it's dangerous, and it has no place in New York."
New York Attorney General Letitia James, on X Friday: "Hamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists. Period."
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, on X Friday: "Let's be clear: Hamas is a terrorist organization committed to the destruction of Jews while imposing its brutal rule on Palestinians. Chanting support for Hamas is antisemitic and unacceptable. This hate must have no place in NYC, in the U.S. or around the world, and must be loudly condemned."
X account StopAntisemitism, on Friday: "NYC Mayor Mamdani's office granted Hamas supporters a permit to riot extremely close to a Jewish Day School last night. Listen as they scream 'we support Hamas' and 'Long Live October 7th'. Ready to leave NYC? DM us to be connected to a robust database of realtors all over the U.S."
As public debate continues over the boundaries between political protest and prohibited hate speech, officials indicated a commitment to ensuring New York remains a safe and inclusive city for all residents and communities.