New York politics might feel far away from India, but the voice of Zohran Mamdani bridges that distance instantly. Born to Ugandan-Indian parents and raised with South Asian values of justice and community, Mamdani has become one of the most recognized progressive leaders in New York.
His public statements often go viral globally because they speak a universal truth — about immigration, inequality, dignity of work, and the real power of people. For many Indians watching international politics, Mamdani represents a new kind of leadership: bold, honest, and deeply rooted in empathy.
Here are his most popular public statements that continue to inspire audiences not just in New York, but across the world — including India.
“We are a city empowered by immigrants, developed by immigrants, and we will be a city that fights for immigrants.”
“In New York City, the working class is an immigrant class. Our fights are not separate. The fight for tenants’ rights, for workers’ rights, is the fight for immigrant rights.”
“They call immigrants criminals. But who are the real criminals? The landlords who evict families, the bosses who steal wages, and the system that denies people healthcare. That’s where the crime is.”
“If you pay taxes, if your kids go to our schools, if you ride our buses and are governed by our laws, you should have a say in who represents you. No taxation without representation is a foundational American idea—let’s make it real for everyone.”
“Our ‘Homes Guarantee’ must include every New Yorker, regardless of where you were born. An eviction notice is the same in any language. Our fight is for a city where no one has to live in the shadows or fear losing their home.”
“Housing is a human right — not an investment opportunity.”
“Budgets are moral documents — and ours fails the people it claims to serve.”
“We cannot celebrate immigrants in culture while criminalizing them in policy.”
“People shouldn’t be punished for being poor.”
“If you remove immigrant labour from New York, the city stops functioning.”
“Astoria deserves better than corporate giveaways disguised as development.”
“Public transit is the lifeblood of our city — yet we fund it like it’s optional.”
“Climate justice means centering the communities harmed first and helped last.”
“The future belongs to the organized.”
“New York City is empowered by immigrants, developed by immigrants.”
“We celebrate immigrants in our culture, but punish them in our policies.”
“If you remove immigrant labor from New York, the city will stop moving.”
“Immigrant neighborhoods are not burdens — they are economic engines.”
“We must stop treating immigration as a crisis and start treating it as a contribution.”
“Our city’s diversity is not an accident — it is our architecture.”
“Protecting immigrants means protecting New York.”
“Housing is a human right, not an investment strategy.”
“Public transit is the lifeblood of our city — yet we treat it like an afterthought.”
“No one should have to choose between their medicine and their rent.”
“Budgets are moral documents — and ours fails the people it claims to serve.”
“People shouldn’t be punished for being poor.”
“Astoria deserves better than corporate giveaways disguised as development.”
“Climate justice means centering the communities who are harmed first and helped last.”
“Police budgets go up every year — yet our communities don’t get safer, they get poorer.”
“The future belongs to the organized.”
“We celebrate immigrants in our culture, but punish them in our policies.”
“If you remove immigrant labor from New York, the city stops functioning.”
“Immigrant neighborhoods are not burdens — they are economic engines.”
“Protecting immigrants means protecting New York.”
“Being Muslim in America should never mean being treated as a suspect.”
“Our policies must protect Muslims, not profile them.”
“Islamophobia is not a fringe problem — it’s a policy problem.”
“A city that welcomes immigrants must also welcome its Muslims without fear.”
“No community should have to justify its existence to feel safe.”
“Dignity for Muslims is not negotiable — it’s a democratic obligation.”
“We cannot claim freedom while Muslim families live under surveillance.”
“To be Muslim in New York should mean belonging, not being monitored.”
“When we defend Muslim rights, we defend the soul of our democracy.”
“There is no justice where Islamophobia is tolerated.”
“Workers deserve protection, whether they deliver food or build skyscrapers.”
“A fair city doesn’t ask immigrants to do essential work and then deny them essential rights.”
“We cannot talk about progress without talking about racial justice.”
“Economic justice is not a slogan — it’s a lifeline.”
“Real safety comes from investment in communities, not punishment.”
“Inequality is not an accident; it is a political choice.”
“Every worker, regardless of status, deserves a living wage.”
“Healthcare should not be reserved for the lucky; it should be guaranteed.”
“Our city thrives when our people thrive — not when corporations thrive.”
“The strength of New York is measured by how we treat the most vulnerable.”
“Immigrants are not the problem — they are the promise.”
“No human being is illegal — only unjust laws are.”
“Every child, no matter where they were born, deserves opportunity.”
“A city built by immigrants must never abandon them.”
“Fair housing is not a privilege; it is a basic human need.”
“Climate justice must include migrant and working-class neighborhoods.”
“Our diversity is not symbolic — it is structural.”
“You cannot uplift a city by pushing out the people who built it.”
“We fight because our communities deserve more than survival — they deserve dignity.”
“Organized people will always be stronger than organized money.”