New York officials from across the political spectrum issued strong condemnations this week after demonstrators were filmed chanting support for Hamas during a protest in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens.
Video footage from the demonstration shows protesters waving Palestinian flags while chanting “we support Hamas” in unison. The clip circulated rapidly across social media platforms, prompting immediate responses from city, state, and federal officials.
Hamas remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United States government, and federal law explicitly prohibits providing material support to such groups.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offered one of the sharpest rebukes of the demonstration, taking particular issue with both the message and the location chosen by protesters.
“Hey so marching into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and leading with a chant saying ‘we support Hamas’ is a disgusting and antisemitic thing to do,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. “Pretty basic!”
Governor Kathy Hochul similarly condemned the chants in forceful terms, sharing the video and emphasizing the nature of the organization being supported.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews,” Hochul wrote. “No matter your political beliefs, this type of rhetoric is disgusting, it’s dangerous, and it has no place in New York.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office recently, also addressed the incident. While condemning the pro-Hamas chants, Mamdani emphasized his administration’s commitment to protecting both public safety and constitutional rights.
“As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city,” Mamdani stated. “We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest.”
This statement from Mamdani marks a notable shift in tone. In an interview last October, the then-incoming mayor declined to condemn Hamas when asked directly, instead redirecting the conversation toward affordability issues facing New Yorkers.
New York Attorney General Letitia James added her voice to the chorus of condemnation, posting a brief message on social media opposing the chants.
The incident occurs amid a broader pattern of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric across the nation. The choice to stage a pro-Hamas demonstration in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood has intensified concerns about public safety and the protection of religious communities.
The swift and unified response from Democratic officials represents a noteworthy moment of consensus on an issue that has at times divided progressive coalitions. The condemnations came from officials representing different wings of the Democratic Party, from progressive firebrands to more moderate voices.
Federal law is clear regarding material support for designated terrorist organizations, though the legal implications of verbal support remain a matter of ongoing debate regarding First Amendment protections versus public safety concerns.
The facts of this matter remain straightforward: a demonstration expressing support for a designated terrorist organization took place in a Jewish neighborhood, and officials across the political spectrum condemned it.
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