Controversy Surrounds Candidate’s Past Remarks on Seizing Means of Production

Several political figures and refugees with communist backgrounds voiced strong opposition after a resurfaced video clip showed presumptive Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani mentioning that one of his aims is “seizing the means of production.”

In the clip from a 2021 conference, Mamdani described the goal of “this entire project” as not just raising class consciousness but also winning socialism and electing leaders unapologetically committed to it. Despite acknowledging that certain socialist policies, like boycotts against Israel, are unpopular, he emphasized they should still be actively promoted. Mamdani stated that both meeting people where they are and organizing for what’s right are crucial to bringing change over time.

Former Brooklyn City Councilman Ari Kagan, who grew up under Soviet-style communism, described the clip as “chilling,” recalling long lines at government-run stores in Minsk and warning that New Yorkers should reject Mamdani’s views. Kagan also accused Mamdani of sympathizing with Hamas, a claim Mamdani denies, emphasizing that he identifies as a Democratic socialist inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.

Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Ukrainian immigrant, argued Mamdani’s words reveal his true political stance, warning voters about the dangers of adopting such ideology. Similarly, Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis criticized Mamdani’s remarks as “straight out of Karl Marx’s Communist playbook,” highlighting the hardships her family faced fleeing communist regimes in Cuba and Venezuela. Malliotakis questioned why immigrants who despise the American economic system would choose to settle here.

Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino also accused Mamdani of openly embracing communist principles, calling for a review of his naturalization status and suggesting reconsideration of the Communist Control Act.

The campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.