AOC hails Zohran Mamdani's mayoral debut as a 'new era for NYC'
AOC: New York City has chosen the ambitious pursuit of universal childcare, affordable rents and housing and clean and dignified public transit for all. We have chosen that over the distractions of bigotry and the barbarism of extreme income inequality pic.twitter.com/bJ93zkeaS6
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 1, 2026
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Zohran Mamdani, the 112th mayor of New York City, was sworn in on Thursday, January 1. He first took his mayoral oath around the same time the country celebrated the beginning of a new year, followed by the mayoral inauguration ceremony that took place later the same day.
Several representatives addressed the crowd during the ceremony, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known as AOC, who delivered the opening remarks. During her speech, she termed Mamdani’s ascent a “new era for New York City.”
AOC praises Zohran Mamdani's dedication to 'working people'
During her opening remarks, Representative AOC stated that by choosing Zohran Mamdani as its new mayor, New York had chosen “courage over fear.”
She added that the city had chosen “historic, ambitious leadership” in response to “untenable and unprecedented times.”
AOC further praised New York’s choice and said the people had chosen someone who was “relentlessly dedicated” to making life aspirational for “working people.”
AOC: New York, we have chosen courage over fear . We have chosen prosperity for the many over spoils for the few. When the entrenched ways would rather have us dig in our feet and seek refuge in the past, we have chosen instead to turn towards making a new future for all of us. pic.twitter.com/7GpdWI3lqG
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 1, 2026
She stated that with Mamdani, they had chosen the “ambitious pursuit” of universal child care, affordable rent and housing, and “clean and dignified public transportation.”
“We have chosen that over the distractions of bigotry and the barbarism of extreme income inequality,” she added.
AOC urges New York to stand together
As her speech progressed, AOC said that the ceremony was not just an inauguration for Zohran Mamdani but for all of them.
She added that choosing “this mayor” and his vision was an “ambitious pursuit” and that the entire city needed to uphold his vision.
She also said that it was time to turn towards their neighbors, stand with them, and return to “community life.”
“A city for all will require all of us,” she added.
She said that they needed people to fill the streets, schools, houses of faith, and block associations to support Mamdani in making an “affordable city a reality” for everyone.
She pointed out that Mamdani was about to be the first Muslim mayor of New York, the first immigrant mayor in over a century, and the youngest mayor of New York City in generations.
“But most importantly, Zohran will be a mayor for all of us,” she concluded.
