Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee for New York City, faced a heated reception from Staten Island residents during an anti-Trump rally held on Wednesday at the Istanbul Bay Authentic Mediterranean Restaurant. Protesters, many of whom supported Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, gathered outside the venue, chanting slogans and demanding that Mamdani ‘get out of town.’ One protester, wearing a ‘Trump girl’ t-shirt and an American flag, shouted, ‘Go back to where you came from. We don’t want you on Staten Island.’
Inside the restaurant, Mamdani kicked off his third anti-Trump event of the week, but the atmosphere was tense, as protesters outside drowned out his introductory speeches with cowbells, sirens, and megaphones. Despite the hostile reception, Mamdani maintained a composed demeanor, telling reporters, ‘It saddens me to hear language of being told to go back to where I came from, and yet, it is not surprising because it is so much of what characterizes President Trump’s politics.’
Mamdani’s event aimed to reaffirm his commitment to protecting New Yorkers from what he claims are Trump’s ‘crackdown on illegal immigration’ if he is elected mayor. However, the protests highlighted the deep animosity toward his socialist policies among Staten Island residents, many of whom view his platform as a threat to the borough’s economic stability and traditional values. ‘He’s the only one that could save our city,’ said Ed, a Staten Islander carrying a large American flag, as he expressed support for Sliwa, who is running as an independent. ‘He’s a true New Yorker. He’s been fighting for New York all his life.’
The rally also underscored the stark divide between progressive Democrats and Republican voters in Staten Island, a key swing area in the 2024 presidential race. Trump won the borough by 30 points in the 2024 election, according to The New York Times, while former Vice President Kamala Harris carried neighboring Brooklyn by 44 points. For many Staten Islanders, Mamdani’s progressive agenda, which includes freezing rents and imposing higher corporate taxes, is seen as a direct threat to their way of life. ‘He wants to make everything free. He can’t afford that. He’s a socialist. He don’t live that. We’re not socialist,’ said Tommy Banks, a native Staten Islander who told Fox News Digital that his message to Mamdani was simply ‘Get out of town.’
Meanwhile, some attendees at the event expressed support for Mamdani, arguing that his policies would benefit the community. Shahana Masum, who wore a ‘Zohran for Staten Island’ sticker, told Fox News Digital that Mamdani represented ‘me and my community.’ Masum also rejected the idea that she should be told to ‘go back to her country,’ stating, ‘You didn’t go back to your country, and I came here with dignity and with my visa.’
The event was part of Mamdani’s ‘Five Boroughs Against Trump’ tour, which has drawn both support and criticism from New Yorkers. Critics have dismissed him as a ‘snake-oil salesman,’ while others, like Sliwa, have endorsed him as the ‘only one’ who could save the city. The rally also highlighted the growing political polarization in New York City, where Mamdani’s campaign has sparked intense debate about the role of government in addressing housing, immigration, and public services. As the November election approaches, the tensions between Mamdani’s supporters and critics are likely to intensify, further shaping the political landscape of the city and the broader presidential race.