Watch: Mamdani Booed Off Stage At Pro-Police Event As 9/11 Backlash Builds

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani got a blistering welcome from Staten Islanders Tuesday night, drowned out by a wall of boos that chased the self-avowed Democratic socialist off the stage in under a minute at a National Night Out Against Crime event.

Mamdani had come to Midland Beach to address thousands gathered for the NYPD’s 43rd annual National Night Out Against Crime, an event built around strengthening the bond between police officers and the neighborhoods they protect–however–it did not go as planned.

Videos rocketing around social media showed the crowd jeering as the mayor stepped toward the podium, with attendees shouting at Mamdani to leave and others flashing thumbs-down gestures in the borough long considered the city’s most conservative.

“It’s a pleasure to be here, I want to say thank you …” Mamdani began amid loud and lusty boos and a barrage of insults such as “you suck!”

The mayor kept smiling through it.

“Happy Night Out Against Crime. It’s amazing to be here for the Staten Island community,” Mamdani said, thanking local officials and Staten Island artist Scott LoBaido before wrapping up with, “God bless everyone. Thank you.”

The whole appearance clocked in at less than a minute before the mayor walked off. Local reports said Mamdani later stopped to pose for photos with some attendees, hostile reception notwithstanding.

The Staten Island rebuke comes as thousands are protesting Mamdani’s presence at 9/11 memorial events. Among those protesting the mayor is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman vowing to turn his back on Mamdani if the mayor shows up.

“I would equate this to a wake. You don’t go to a wake if you’re not welcome,” Blakeman told reporters, according to the New York Post. 

“I think it’s completely appropriate if family members ask him not to come, but if he does come I think there’s a respectful and peaceful way to protest that and I would suggest that people turn their back on the mayor,” Blakeman said. 

“He’s not welcome there because he has yet to say anything in opposition to the global intifada. As a matter of fact it seems like he supports that phrase which is part of the reason why we had the tragedy we had on 9/11.”

Staten Island is the most conservative borough in New York City, although it maintains a higher number of registered Democrats than Republicans. As of February 2024, 39.72 percent of registered voters were Democrats compared to 31.46 percent who vote Republican.