Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman did not hold back when addressing what he sees as the dangerous drift of New York City politics under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, as reported by The New York Post.
Speaking before roughly 150 people gathered at Yellowstone Park in Forest Hills, Queens, Blakeman tore into Mamdani’s leadership and accused him of fueling division and antisemitism throughout the city.
The event, billed as a rally against antisemitism, drew a spirited crowd deeply concerned by what they described as a growing wave of hate crimes in their community.
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Blakeman, who currently serves as Nassau County Executive, made it clear he sees Mamdani as the face of a troubling ideological shift that excuses antisemitism under the guise of political progress.
“One of his first acts as mayor was to change the definition of antisemitism. We don’t have enough problems in the city? That was the first thing he had to do?” Blakeman said, speaking to reporters from The Post.
The comment drew loud cheers from supporters who have grown impatient with what they see as the mayor’s soft handling of hateful behavior.
The criticism came just days after a rowdy, antisemitic protest outside Park East Synagogue left many New Yorkers shaken. Blakeman wasted no time drawing a straight line from that incident to what he described as Mamdani’s moral failure.
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“He’s got a dark heart. He’s un-American, and he’s antisemitic,” Blakeman said bluntly.
“He’s got to change, or otherwise this city will rise up against him because this is a city of good people.”
He went on to describe New York City as a place built on diversity and mutual respect, accusing Mamdani of fracturing that unity for political gain.
“This is a city of every race, religion, ethnic group. People of all abilities and lifestyles. And they should all be living together in peace and harmony. And not have a mayor that divides us,” Blakeman said.
The crowd responded with chants of “New York stands with Israel.”
The rally, organized as a direct response to what community leaders called a “staggering” rise in hate crimes, featured a number of speakers who blasted left-wing politicians for ignoring or even enabling antisemitism.
The mood was defiant, patriotic, and frustrated with what they perceive as a leadership vacuum in city hall.
Comedian Zach Sage Fox, who spoke on behalf of Blakeman, took on Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, citing her controversial social media activity.
Screenshots have circulated showing Duwaji liking posts that celebrated the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel. “I’d rather him be honest,” Sage Fox said.
“At least his wife doesn’t play both sides. At least she says who she is. Her silence is complicity, and at least we know what we’re dealing with.”
Sage Fox accused Mamdani of playing a duplicitous role with the Jewish community, pretending to support peace while quietly normalizing antisemitic rhetoric among his political base.
“But no, the two-faced stuff, it’s BS, and we’re not going to stand for it. We’re not going to stand for it,” he told the crowd, drawing applause from attendees waving both Israeli and American flags.
Many in attendance expressed frustration that mainstream city leaders and local media have downplayed the seriousness of antisemitic attacks, dismissing them as isolated acts rather than the result of a toxic political climate.
“We have a person running this city who takes no accountability for the rise of antisemitism that he helped create over his political career,” said Sage Fox.
“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth; he’s playing both sides of the coin.”
Blakeman’s message resonated especially strongly in Queens, an area that has seen a marked increase in hate crimes over the past year. Residents said they fear city officials are more focused on political posturing than public safety.
Several attendees told The Post they wanted to see a stronger police presence at Jewish institutions and harsher penalties for hate crimes.
Critics of Mamdani say the mayor has made a habit of prioritizing ideological theater over practical leadership. They point to his decision to alter the city’s definition of antisemitism as a symptom of the problem.
Rather than standing firmly against hatred, Mamdani’s allies have been accused of muddling definitions and excusing behavior that targets Jewish citizens under the pretense of social justice activism.
The atmosphere at the rally was electric, combining outrage with resolve. Many said they are done waiting for city leadership to show moral clarity.
American flags waved alongside banners declaring “New York Against Hate” and “Stop the Lies.”
Families stood shoulder to shoulder with veterans and young activists, united by a shared sense that New York’s once-proud tradition of tolerance has been betrayed by political cowardice.
For Blakeman, the moment seemed tailor-made for his message. He cast himself as a defender of New Yorkers who feel abandoned by the political elite and vowed to restore common sense and decency to the state’s highest office.
“We are a city of good and decent people,” Blakeman said.
“And we are not going to let hatred win.”
The Republican candidate’s fiery remarks mark yet another clash between New York’s conservative reformers and the progressive establishment.
As frustration grows, many voters appear ready for leadership that calls antisemitism by its name and refuses to water down truth for political convenience. For those gathered in Forest Hills, that clarity could not come soon enough.
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