Mamdani suggests that a shared understanding of human dignity applies equally to Charlie Kirk and the violence towards Palestinians.
In a poignant speech at the Jews for Racial and Economic Justice's 2025 Mazal Awards, Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani addressed the recent tragedy in Utah.
Mamdani, an American politician of Ugandan origin, began his speech by condemning the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. He made a reference to the fatal shooting, which had been a subject of controversy due to Kirk's Islamophobic comments about Mamdani months earlier.
However, Mamdani did not delve into the specifics of the incident, instead choosing to focus on the human impact of such tragedies. He extended his notion of shared humanity to Palestinians in Gaza, stating that lines should not be drawn when it comes to their lives.
In his speech, Mamdani emphasized the grief of a wife and young children left behind, a sentiment he also expressed towards the mass shootings in Utah and Colorado, which occurred on the same day. He did not comment on any potential connection between these incidents.
Later in his speech, Mamdani mentioned the mass shooting that took place in Colorado, but again, he did not provide any specific details. The speech did not mention any specific details about the mass shooting at a school in Colorado either.
Mamdani was honoured at the event alongside New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Comedian Ilana Glazer presented the award to both Lander and Mamdani.
It's worth noting that Mamdani, whose last name is often mispronounced as "Mandami" by political opponents like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo during their campaign, did not speak out nationally in the United States for Palestinians, according to public records.
Despite this, Mamdani's outspoken support for Palestine was a key factor in his victory over Cuomo in the June Democratic mayoral primary. He believes that his stance on this issue resonated with voters, reinforcing his belief in the power of shared humanity to transcend political disagreements.
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