New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday condemned pro-Hamas chants during a protest outside a synagogue in Queens, calling the rhetoric “wrong and having no place in New York City.” The demonstration, led by the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation (PAL-Awda), saw pro-Palestinian participants chanting in support of Hamas, while counterprotesters reportedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs.

According to The New York Times, the chants included slogans such as “Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here,” prompting concern among local residents and city officials. Mamdani emphasized the need to balance the constitutional right to protest with public safety near houses of worship.

After facing criticism for not specifically naming Hamas in his initial statement, Mamdani clarified on X that “chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city,” reinforcing the city’s stance against terrorism and violence. He reiterated that his office is coordinating with the NYPD to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.

Also Read: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Swearing-In Quran to Remain on Public Display at NYPL

Other New York leaders also condemned the pro-Hamas rhetoric. Attorney General Letitia James stated, “Hamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists. Period.” Similarly, Governor Kathy Hochul called the chants “disgusting, dangerous, and unacceptable,” highlighting Hamas’s calls for the genocide of Jews.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighed in on social media, calling the protest “a disgusting and antisemitic thing to do” and criticized demonstrators for marching into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood while leading pro-Hamas chants. Her comments reflected widespread condemnation across political lines.

The Queens protest underscores the tense atmosphere surrounding pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations in New York City. City officials stressed the importance of protecting both freedom of expression and the safety of religious communities while ensuring that extremist rhetoric does not escalate into violence.

Also Read: NYC Mayor Condemns U.S. Raid on Venezuela as ‘Act of War’