New York City’s new mayor was sworn in under gray skies and biting cold, but for thousands who turned out hoping to celebrate, the day felt less like a party and more like an endurance test.
According to the New York Post, supporters of Zohran Mamdani gathered outside City Hall on Thursday for what his team promoted as an “Inauguration for a New Era Block Party.”
Instead of music, food, and free movement, many found themselves packed into barricaded areas with few amenities as temperatures hovered in the mid-20s.
An estimated 10,000 people stood along Broadway and nearby streets, watching the ceremony unfold on large television screens. Bathrooms were unavailable inside the secured areas, and there were no food vendors, leaving attendees cold, hungry, and frustrated.
“It’s definitely not a block party,” said Danny Mahabir, 30, of Astoria, who said he expected something festive for New Year’s Day.
Wearing three layers to stay warm, Mahabir said the reality was far different. “We’re just stuck behind the barricades watching it on TV.”
While thousands of supporters were penned outside, about 4,000 guests sat inside City Hall’s outdoor plaza to watch Mamdani take the oath in person.
Speakers, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander,s appeared on the screens for those outside.
For many, the setup didn’t live up to the hype.
“It’s not exactly what I was expecting,” said Shane Turner, 30, of Brooklyn. “I was expecting food and music.”
“I could’ve watched this from home,” added a 25-year-old Queens woman who declined to give her name.
Security issues added to the irritation. Lines stretched long, and some attendees said police officers appeared unclear about where people were supposed to enter.
“The police officers have not been informed about anything, they don’t know which entrance or where anything is,” said one woman who said she waited about 90 minutes to get inside. “I’m really, really unhappy.”
Although guests were asked to arrive by 11 a.m., the 1 p.m. ceremony began more than 30 minutes late.
Mamdani’s campaign had warned online that there would be no portable toilets and no food for sale “due to safety concerns.” Leaving the secured areas for nearby stores or restaurants meant going through security again to re-enter.
At one point, volunteers rushed to a nearby Pret a Manger to use the restroom, while other attendees ducked into shops just to warm up.
Still, enthusiasm for the new mayor endured.
“I’m not disappointed,” Turner said. “I came here to witness history. The past four years felt like hell under the previous mayor.”
