Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has provoked a widespread response on social media after she declared during a rally that she and her radical Left allies “are not the crazy ones.”
Ocasio-Cortez made the remarks as thousands of self-identified Democratic Socialists filled the streets of NYC for a “New York Is Not for Sale” rally supporting mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
The event, featuring speeches from Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), both prominent members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), underscores the far-left group’s growing influence in New York City politics.
During the event, chants of “DSA! DSA!” and “Tax the rich!” echoed through the crowd.
In an energetic address, AOC drew attention with an emphatic defense of her movement’s policies.
“We must remember in a time such as this, we are not the crazy ones, New York City,” she told the crowd.
“We are not the outlandish ones, New York City.
“They want us to think we are crazy; we are sane.”
She went on to frame the movement’s goals as “affordable and decent housing, a decent wage, the right to health care.”
The congresswoman also said spending should prioritize “caring for our people instead of the flattening of Palestinians and oppressed people abroad.”
WATCH:
The rally, organized by the Democratic Socialists of America, brought together a wide range of progressive activists and local union organizers.
Supporters waved red flags and campaign signs as speakers invoked economic and social justice themes throughout the evening.
Mamdani’s Policy Proposals
Mamdani’s campaign platform calls for a rent freeze, fare-free public transportation, communist-style communal housing, and the creation of a taxpayer-funded city-run grocery store.
These proposals, Mamdani argues, would make New York “a city that works for the many, not the few.”
Critics, however, note that similar programs in other major cities have struggled financially and question whether New York can sustain such initiatives amid its ongoing budget shortfalls.
Political Fractures Within the Democratic Party
The event also highlighted divisions within New York’s Democratic establishment.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who reluctantly endorsed Mamdani earlier this fall, was met with heckling when she attempted to speak.
The friction follows Mamdani’s earlier refusal to return her endorsement, reflecting a growing split between progressive activists and the state’s more traditional Democratic leadership.
Video from the rally shows the governor visibly uncomfortable as portions of the crowd drowned out her remarks with chants and jeers.
Controversies Surrounding the Candidate
Mamdani has faced scrutiny for several associations that have drawn national attention.
Reports have linked him to Rebecca Kadaga, a Ugandan official known for promoting legislation that would impose life sentences on homosexuals.
He has also maintained a relationship with Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and a figure known for inflammatory rhetoric toward the LGBTQ community.
In a city that has long positioned itself as a champion of LGBTQ rights, those connections have prompted concern among some liberal voters.
So far, however, Mamdani’s far-left base appears unmoved, with supporters emphasizing his housing and transit proposals over his personal associations.
With New York’s mayoral election just weeks away, Mamdani’s campaign has become a flashpoint in the broader struggle for control of the Democratic Party, between the traditional leadership in Albany and a new generation of radical leftists who believe the city’s future lies in their radical socialist vision.
READ MORE – Pelosi Melts Down When Asked If AOC Is ‘Directing’ Democrat Shutdown
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.