Zohran Mamdani Sworn in as New York City Mayor: 'A New Era' for the City

Zohran Mamdani made history on Thursday by being sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor, promising to transform the government and bring about a 'new politics'. The 35-year-old democrat, a democratic socialist, took the oath of office in a decommissioned subway station under City Hall, before returning for a grander public inauguration where US Senator Bernie Sanders administered his oath. Mamdani began his historic speech by saying, 'Today marks a new beginning'. He emphasized that this election signifies a shift in people's approach to politics, with New Yorkers united in recognizing the need for a new approach to power. He shared a conversation with a Pakistani woman named Samina, who told him that his campaign has brought about a rare change in people's hearts. Mamdani expressed gratitude to the people of New York for electing him, stating that he is humbled by their faith in him. He vowed to serve the people and thanked his family, including his parents, wife, and relatives from Kampala and Delhi. Mamdani also acknowledged the task ahead, saying that many will be watching to see if he can succeed in governing as a democratic socialist. In his speech, Mamdani hit back at critics who label his politics as radical, saying that what's truly radical is a system that gives too much to the privileged few and denies many basic necessities. He also emphasized that his government will be answerable only to the people of New York, and that he will protect every New Yorker, regardless of their views. Mamdani rejected the idea of a city divided by wealth and culture, saying that 'this will be a tale of 8.5 million cities', each with their own unique culture and practices. He concluded by saying that 'there is only New York and only New Yorkers', emphasizing that the city's diversity is its strength.