Zohran Mamdani confronted and chased from NYC park by protester shouting ‘antisemite’

The enraged protester, identified as 55-year-old Raul Rivera, followed Zohran Mamdani while security escorted him into his waiting SUV
PUBLISHED OCT 12, 2025
An angry protester accused Zohran Mamdani of being an 'antisemite' (Getty Images, Screengrab/@The_US_Ledger/X)
An angry protester accused Zohran Mamdani of being an 'antisemite' (Getty Images, Screengrab/@The_US_Ledger/X)


 

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was chased out of Lower Manhattan by protestors who slammed him as an antisemite.

The incident happened in Lower Manhattan, and a frequent City Hall protester got into a shoving match with his staffer. The protestors followed Mamdani as the security escorted him into his SUV. 

Protestor confronts Zohran Mamdani

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: New York Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference on September 26, 2025 in New York City. Mamdani was joined by Comptroller Brad Lander, Assemblymember Tony Simone, and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas to condemn the ongoing raids, detentions, and actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference on September 26, 2025 in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

The enraged protester has been identified by sources as Raul Rivera, 55, of the Bronx, who shouted and cursed at Mamdani while he ignored him and climbed into his vehicle.

“Antisemite! Denounce Sharia law! Denounce Hezbollah! You can’t do it!” shouted Rivera, while Mamdani, with his back turned, approached the black SUV. “Walk the narrow or you’re going to jail with Tish!” he screams before Mamdani enters the vehicle.

A member of Mamdani’s team interfered when Rivera got too close to his vehicle, pushing him away and shouting Mamdani is a 'f*****g rat'.

Rivera, who is shorter in stature and wearing a baseball cap, pushes the man back several times while holding what appears to be a President Trump flag, repeatedly yelling “Get the f**k off me, bro!”

Protestor's previous confrontation with Zohran Mamdani

New York City mayoral election, candidate Zohran Mamdani attends a campaign rally, calling for the full enforcement of the city's Sanctuary City laws, June 21, 2025, in Diversity Square in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of the borough of Queens, New York City. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
Zohran Mamdani attends a campaign rally, calling for the full enforcement of the city's Sanctuary City laws, June 21, 2025, in Diversity Square in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of the borough of Queens, New York City (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

Rivera has a history of confrontation with the politician, when he allegedly bit a Mamdani campaign volunteer, leading to her arrest in June.      

This Friday, during the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Rivera was apparently demanding answers from Mamdani.

Mamdani had accused Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of apartheid against the Palestinian people, which drew backlash from both Democrats and Republicans.

Zohran Mamdani supports AG Letitia James

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attend the 2025 New York City Pride March on June 29, 2025 in New York City. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attend the 2025 New York City Pride March on June 29, 2025 in New York City (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Mamdani had been in Foley Square for a protest where he and other leftist politicians and activists stood in support of New York  Attorney General Letitia James, who is facing federal charges for bank fraud and for making false statements to a financial institution.

The confrontation happened shortly after Mamdani defended James against the Trump administration, describing her indictment as politically motivated. 



 

“This is a blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a shameless act of political retribution,” Mamdani seethed about the federal charges unveiled Thursday against James. “And instead of prosecuting Tish James for doing her job, Donald Trump should be doing his.”

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