Zohran Mamdani backs NYC ‘No Kings’ rally, slams ICE as a ‘rogue agency’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday, March 27, endorsed the "No Kings NYC" protest, describing the rally as an opportunity for residents to demand "decency, dignity, and humanity" in the face of federal immigration enforcement.

The endorsement comes as the mayor faces mounting pressure over the city's sanctuary policies following the death of 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams, who died after being allegedly shoved onto NYC subway tracks by a four-time deported illegal immigrant. 

Zohran Mamdani endorses ‘No Kings’ rally in NYC

Mamdani encouraged New Yorkers to participate in the third round of "No Kings" protests scheduled for Saturday, framing it as a way to build solidarity against the current administration.

"I think that rallies are an incredibly effective way for New Yorkers to both organize together and make it clear what their vision is for the city, for the state, for this country," he said. 

He noted that the event helps residents realize they are not alone in their beliefs, stating, "I think that what we've seen is that there's an attempt to make many in our city feel as if they are alone, when they believe that ICE has no place in our city, when they believe that every single New Yorker who lives in this city belongs in this city, and should be made to feel as if such." 

Zohran added that participants are "one of a growing coalition of people who want to see a shred of decency, dignity and humanity come back to our city and our country's politics."

Zhran Mamdani slams ICE, says 'no one is above the law' in NYC

During the press briefing, the mayor also renewed his calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), labeling it a "rogue" and "reckless" entity.

"First and foremost, we're making clear that no one is above the law in this city... That everyone has to follow the rule of law. I have made clear to the president, both in our private conversations and our public conversations, about the fact that I believe that ICE is a rogue agency," Mamdani said. 

He argued that the agency "delivers nothing toward the furthering of the cause of public safety" and claimed it forces New Yorkers to live in fear of "routine immigration check-ins." 

He concluded that the federal entity has been "operating with a level of impunity, and that has to come to an end."

Zohran Mamdani has yet to comment on death of Richard Williams

Despite his focus on the rally and ICE, Mamdani has yet to publicly comment on the death of Williams.

The Air Force veteran succumbed to his injuries after being pushed onto subway tracks, allegedly by Bairon Posada-Hernandez, a four-time deported illegal immigrant from Honduras. 

DHS officials have urged the city to cooperate, stating, "Posada-Hernandez is a serial criminal and four-time deported illegal alien who never should have been able to walk our streets and harm innocent Americans. He is now facing murder charges." 

When asked if the city would turn the suspect over to federal agents, the mayor’s office referred all questions to the Department of Corrections (DOC).