Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The return of grassroots politics in New York
Since November 5th, when Zohran Mamdani became the new mayor-elect of New York, volunteers’ phones haven’t stopped buzzing, as if to remind supporters that there is no time for nostalgia and that the movement keeps moving forward.
Volunteers continue working for him, the city, and for those who stand alongside him. From Astoria, Queens to Harlem, Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, parents, students, and workers joined door-to-door canvassing, speaking with people of all ages, dedicating their free time, – in some cases even leaving their jobs – to support a community effort that feels bigger than politics itself.
“Hi, is Jonathan available?” says Lydia in a firm tone as she presses the buzzer for 4B at a Chelsea apartment in Manhattan’s Lower West Side. “I am Lydia,” she smiles, “I am a volunteer for the Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani.”
The human side of the campaign
It’s a scene that has become part of New York’s political history.
Just a few weeks ago, Zohran Mamdani – an outsider with a radical platform and an unprecedented volunteer base – became the city’s new mayor. Why this success? Because volunteers love him.
They bake him birthday cakes, follow him to debates, wear yellow and blue, chant “Freeze the rents,” listen to his interviews, and share comments in online chats titled “Gabbers for Zohran,” “Mamdani Yappers,” and “Pets for Zohran.”
Mamdani’s election didn’t just impact the United States: it resonated strongly in Europe and across the world. His victory was read as an encouraging sign. And to truly understand why he has become an international reference point, we must start here: with Lydia, Vivian, Balthazar, Milo, Katie, Bronislaw, Gianna, Sanjana, Diana, Matt…
They are among the more than 100,000 volunteers dedicated to daily canvassing and phone banking, giving life to a movement that didn’t stop on election day but continues to grow.
Last October, Senator Bernie Sanders hailed that movement on stage at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens during the “NYC is not for sale” rally. He described it as a great force that, in “such a delicate moment for American democracy, from New York will reach the entire world.” A month later, his words feel even more real.
Zohran’s volunteers knocked on over 1 million doors to present residents with a simple but effective platform. They answered questions and concerns and informed people without ever forcing their choices.
They are young, old, white, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, American, and European. Driven by a deep belief in change, they gathered residents’ economic hardships, hopes, and urgent priorities — different from neighborhood to neighborhood — in an atmosphere of profound solidarity. Today, they continue doing so for Zohran, for Diana, and for anyone who seeks to carry forward the new mayor’s platform.
The Foot Soldiers
Mamdani’s engaged and motivated volunteer base formed the foundation of his campaign and remains highly active in meetings and chats; many are now involved in the team he is building for his new administration.
Lydia, a young Jewish woman from the Upper West Side, is a Political Science major deeply interested in politics. Lydia first supported Bernie Sanders because he “seemed more experienced.” After the primaries, she volunteered for Zohran.
Matt, a software engineer who coordinates volunteers in Astoria, is 37 and lives in Queens. “It was a freezing day,” he recalls of the Brooklyn campaign launch, “and no one expected a big turnout, but I was there along with a few hundred people. From that day on, I decided to dedicate my little free time to volunteering.” He coordinated volunteers in the neighborhood before the election on November 5th: “For many, it was their first time canvassing. What unites them was the excitement of feeling part of one of the biggest volunteer operations in New York. And I think that means something.”
Milo, a young man of Russian descent, lives in Harlem, the historic jazz neighborhood. He’s worked with the Democratic Party’s youth committees for years. Milo met Zohran unexpectedly: “I discovered a great speaker — charismatic and energetic. It had been a long time since we’d seen such an engaging politician!”
Bronislaw, a political asylee for 59 years, is a retired professor of mathematics and physics, a Polish intellectual, and a convinced socialist. He lives in Harlem. Bronislaw says, “I like Zohran’s platform, and I want to contribute because I believe in it, and I hope New York can only improve with him.”
Gianna, whose parents are Filipino, is a Public Health student at Columbia University. During Zohran’s campaign, she used MiniVAN – an app that allows volunteers to identify eligible voters. Clad in comfortable clothes and sneakers as she knocked on doors, “I’m a volunteer for Zohran,” she would say with a warm smile. And almost everyone opened the door without fear.
22-year-old John, a freelance director and writer, is a transplant from Los Angeles. He lives in Astoria.“I was very active in politics between 2014 and 2016, then seeing the Democratic Party defeated twice by Donald Trump made me reconsider my involvement. Zohran gave me back the hope I no longer had. There’s a genuine excitement I had never felt in any other campaign.”
Josh (law student) & Kevin (teacher). Josh, 26, says, “Zohran is young, progressive, and has clear ideas.” A remark from the mayor-elect struck home: “I want to push forward all these policies, and if something doesn’t work, I’ll try to find alternative solutions.” Josh adds, “It’s something you never hear from a politician.”
Kevin, 28, a teacher in Queens, says, “I have no hope in the Democratic Party… I prefer supporting independents who don’t have strong ties to the wealthy.”
Vivian (Lead Volunteer) & Katie. Vivian, 24, a former software engineer, lives in the East Village. She quit her job to take part in the campaign. Vivian wears a Yellow “Zohran Mamdani for Mayor” beanie. “If we young people don’t do it, who will think about our future? Being involved in canvassing changed my life,” she adds, “We’ve built a coalition of thousands of volunteers; the movement doesn’t end here.”
Katie also left a job with a multinational company to help influence change. “When I heard Zohran, I understood I could do it.”
The movement one month later
Diana Moreno, the candidate campaigning to succeed Zohran in his Assembly seat. describes this movement as “The solidarity that beats fascism. It is not just about a political office – it is really about the movement that we are building to create a better world for our neighbours”.
On November 21st, Zohran Mamdani met with Donald Trump in the Oval Office and shook hands with the man who had opposed him during the campaign; the unexpected outcome — the president commenting that “I met with a man who really wants New York to be great again” and “I really would [be comfortable living there], especially after the meeting,” was revealing. ” I think you’re going to have hopefully a really great mayor, and the better he does, the happier I am,” added Trump.
His volunteers realized that in Mamdani, they had supported someone who truly believes in his words. Maybe that’s why the movement keeps going.
Jessica from Astoria echoes this sentiment. She canvassed for Mamdani and is now supporting Diana Moreno’s bid. “Keeping the movement we built upon the election is my strong commitment.”