At midnight on January 1, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City. The campaign leading up to his historic win as the first Muslim mayor of New York, was one of the most talked about in recent history. His team mobilized young New Yorkers across all five boroughs, bringing in record numbers of first-time mayoral voters in the city.
Those same young New Yorkers came out in the bitter cold on New Year's Day to see his inauguration speech outside City Hall. “Today begins a new era," Mamdani began. "I stand before you, moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath." Throughout his speech, he spoke to working-class New Yorkers about affordability and community building, emphasizing rent freezing and public transit. “These policies are not simply about the costs we make free but the lives we make free.”
Before the speech, Teen Vogue spoke to young attendees about what the moment meant for them – and why they chose to come out in the frigid temps to see it. Many said they were there because of his message on affordability. “I am excited for him to make New York more affordable and make New York for the people again instead of just the fricking rich people,” one attendee named Rawlins tells Teen Vogue.
Others mentioned his messages of community. Jane, who was attending with friends, added a similar sentiment. “People really rallied behind him and his beliefs, and because we all share that same idea of community, of being here for others.” A different attendee braving the cold agreed with this sentiment. "What I'm most excited for Zohran to do is, honestly, bring people together.
Jane also noted that as a bus user, she was there to support his initiative to make bus fares free. “One thing I am very excited about is fast and free buses. I hope that happens soon.” Others added that they hope he addresses affordability by lowering train fares.
Overall, the crowd's sentiment appeared to echo that heard at rallies around the city in both the primary and general elections. Many young New Yorkers believe that Mamdani will restore a sense of togetherness that makes NYC special. “I hope that he brings hope to New Yorkers," another attendee tells us. "Especially as a young voter, I believe as a country we need to be more united, and I think he will allow that to happen.”
Watch the full video of young New Yorkers reacting to Zohran Mamdani's inauguration below:
