Zohran Mamdani says US government has ‘exacerbated racism’ through decades of policy choices

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Saturday, June 6, that government policies have played a significant role in worsening racial inequities across the United States, arguing that systemic disparities seen today are the result of political choices made over many years.

Speaking during an appearance on MS NOW's 'The Weekend', Mamdani discussed issues ranging from racial inequality and wealth gaps to immigration enforcement and the future direction of the Democratic Party.

Zohran Mamdani links racial inequities to government decisions

During the interview, Mamdani said both class and race must be considered when examining disparities across cities and communities.

"I think that we need to have a vision that encompasses all of these things. We have to have an understanding of the impacts of class, and we have to have an understanding of the impacts of race," he said.

According to Mamdani, racial inequities visible in household wealth and income did not emerge by accident. Instead, he argued they are connected to political decisions made over time.

"You know, we cannot divorce the racial inequities we see across the city, which are so stark in just the measurements of median household wealth and income from the political choices and decisions that have been made over many years," he said.

The democratic socialist pointed to a tax lien sale policy implemented during former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's administration as one example.

"I even think about there was a policy that Rudy Giuliani had implemented of a tax lien sale. We found that the city was six times more likely to sell tax liens in a Black neighborhood than in a White neighborhood," he said.

The mayor argued that such policies had long-term consequences for homeowners and communities.

"That's, you know, that and the impact that it has on homeowners, one of the reasons why we put a pause to that sale," he added.

Zohran Mamdani suggests affirmative policies to address the problem

As the discussion continued, Mamdani widened his argument beyond New York City and suggested that similar patterns could be seen nationwide.

"I think it just speaks to the many ways in which government has exacerbated racism across not just the city, but, frankly, across our country through its political choices," he said.

For Mamdani, recognizing those patterns is only the first step.

"And it's time to actually address it. And it's time to actually address it through not only acknowledgment, but frankly, through affirmative policy," he added.

The mayor's remarks reflected his belief that governments have a responsibility not only to identify inequalities but also to implement policies aimed at reducing them.

Zohran Mamdani renews call to abolish ICE

The conversation later shifted to immigration and conditions at detention facilities.

Co-host Eugene Daniels referenced reports about detainees at the Delaney Hall facility in New Jersey who were participating in a hunger strike over conditions there and asked Mamdani for his reaction.

The mayor said the reports reflected deeper concerns about how immigration enforcement operates in the US.

"I think there are a few things. One is a reaction of pain and seeing what people have to go through in these kinds of facilities," he said. "And these are conditions that they offend the conscience of so many, not just here in New York City but frankly, across the country."

Mamdani then reiterated a position he has previously advocated.

"This is partially why I have put forward a vision alongside so many others to say that ICE should be abolished, that there is no way to reform this kind of cruelty that we're seeing endemic in the way that immigration is being enforced across the country," he said.

He also defended New York City's sanctuary city policies.

"When it comes to our city, we are proud of our sanctuary city policies. We are proud of the policies we've put forward, and also the executive orders we've put forward to ensure that every single agency is complying with those policies," Mamdani remarked.