For the first time in our 12-year history Equality for Flatbush (E4F) has endorsed a NYC Mayoral Candidate & that candidate is #ZohranMamdani.
As a Black Lives Matter group, E4F respects the important history and struggle that took place for Black and Brown people to vote in the U.S. At the same time , we do not see electoral politics as a path to liberation for our peoples and why we have never endorsed any NYC candidate since founding in 2013. We remain steadfast in our belief that the power of community organizing is what creates sustainable systemic change, not politicians.
But given the right-wing political climate in NYC and across the US, we see voting in this upcoming mayoral election as a necessary means to fight against the rampant gentrification, displacement and police/ICE violence in NYC. We believe based on many factors that Zohran Mamdani is the most politically progressive candidate running for mayor, and far to the left of the Democratic Party itself.
We also would like to make sure that Andrew Cuomo does NOT become mayor of our amazing city because he has stolen MILLIONS from the MTA and state budgets, cut funding and services for unhoused people and lied about the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic. Andrew Coumo is currently funded by predatory developers, and wants to hire 5K more cops , after being disgraced and forced out as NYS governor because he sexually harassed thirteen women workers.
In regard to Zohran Mamdani, E4F has done our homework over the last few months. A small grouping of E4F’s activists, tenant and homeowner leaders formally met with Zohran Mamdami on April 21st. Bed-stuy homeowners that we work with briefly got to talk with Mamdani at the Brooklyn debate on May 29th and on June 6th, Imani Henry, E4F’s lead organizer, personally hosted an event where 60+ Black and Brown Brooklynites had their very meaningful questions answered by Zohran Mamdani. We truly believe that he is a sincere person who wants the very best for New Yorkers !