New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won’t be joining the protests expected to surround the United Nations when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly.
Mamdani told reporters this week that he has no plans to attend any protest at the U.N., saying his focus as mayor is on keeping New Yorkers safe and making sure the city continues to function during one of its busiest—and most security-intensive—weeks of the year.
The decision is notable because Mamdani previously spoke about protests when asked what New Yorkers opposed to Netanyahu’s visit could do.
In July, he described protest as a fundamental part of New York City and said residents who were frustrated or opposed to Netanyahu should have the ability to express themselves. He stopped short of directly telling New Yorkers to protest, saying the decision was ultimately theirs.
Now, with the U.N. General Assembly approaching, Mamdani is drawing a line between supporting the right to protest and personally participating in a demonstration.
The mayor also said he has been in contact with the NYPD as the city prepares for the arrival of world leaders. Police officials say thousands of officers will be deployed around the U.N., with federal and local agencies coordinating security. Authorities have said there are currently no known specific or credible threats to the General Assembly.
Netanyahu’s visit is expected to bring demonstrations to the area surrounding the United Nations. Mamdani has previously been outspoken in his criticism of Netanyahu and Israel’s conduct in Gaza, while also acknowledging that his office does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu based on an International Criminal Court warrant.
The mayor’s latest position is straightforward: he isn’t planning to attend the protests, but he says New Yorkers retain their constitutional right to demonstrate.
Because being mayor during U.N. week apparently means juggling global diplomacy, street closures, security—and everyone’s favorite New York pastime: finding a way around First Avenue.
