Then-New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) react on stage during a "New York is Not For Sale" rally at Forest Hills Stadium, in the Queens borough of New York City, Oct. 26, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
In the past, the inaugural ceremony was held for 4,000 ticketed guests in City Hall Plaza. On Thursday, Mamdani will break with tradition by inviting "all New Yorkers to join in the festivities with a public block party on Broadway along the historic Canyon of Heroes," the transition team said. The team said the block party will have "dedicated viewing areas for tens of thousands to gather and participate in the ceremony, ensuring the day belongs to all New Yorkers."
AOC campaigned with Democratic socialist Mamdani, who will become New York City's first Muslim mayor on Thursday.
"For the many New Yorkers who have long felt betrayed by a broken status quo, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez embodies a new kind of politics that puts working people at the heart of it," Mamdani said in a statement. "I’ve been so proud to count her as a partner across the many stages of our people-powered movement — from the primary campaign to our Forest Hills rally in October to the very first day of the transition — and I’m honored that she’ll be a part of our historic City Hall inauguration."
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference in New York City, Dec. 20, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
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The incoming mayor's platform was focused on affordability and included proposals for free transit and child care, as well as rent freezes and higher taxes on corporations. During his campaign, Mamdani faced heavy criticism over his policy proposals and his stance on Israel, particularly his refusal to reject the phrase "globalize the intifada," which many interpret as a call for violence against Jews.
Fox News Digital reached out to the mayoral transition team, as well as the offices of AOC, James and Hochul.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-deliver-opening-remarks-mamdanis-inauguration-bernie-sanders-administer-oath-office