Donkees
Donkees's JournalZohran Mamdani on Welcoming Bernie Sanders for a "Bread and Roses" Inaugural Celebration
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Zohran Mamdani paused for a moment, after I asked what he thought his inauguration—on January 1, as the 34-year-old, immigrant, Muslim, democratic socialist mayor of the nation’s largest city—might tell us about what is possible in American politics.
“That it lives,” he finally said. “That the days of us constructing an ever-lowering ceiling of possibility must come to an end. That we have to finally usher in an era where the ambition of our vision matches the scale of the crisis in front of us.”
“I would not be here, were it not for Bernie Sanders,” explained Mamdani. “He gave me the language with which to describe my own politics, a decade ago. It was his presidential campaign in 2016 that showed me and so many Americans across this country that we were not alone in in our belief in dignity as a necessity for each and every person who calls this country their home. And it’s frankly an honor for me that I will be on that stage with him as I begin this next chapter.”
Mamdani has long made it clear that the primary focus of his mayoralty will be the practical work of carrying out an ambitious agenda that makes the city more affordable and improves the lives of working-class New Yorkers. At the same time, he believes that his mayoralty can demonstrate how a democratic socialist vision could frame alternative policies for urban America. “I think it’s a beautiful part of our city, showing what politics can be in a time when it has become almost entirely associated with the language of darkness,” said Mamdani, who suggests that New York “could in fact be a showcase of light.”
“To be a democratic socialist leading our city,” he explained, “is an opportunity to lead with a vision that ensures that each and every New Yorker has whatever they need to live a dignified life—and to translate that belief into the day-to-day material realities of those who call the city home.”
“Life can never only be one thing,” said Mamdani. “It cannot simply be struggle; it cannot simply be laboring in the hopes of bread. You must also labor in the hopes of roses. January 1st is an opportunity for us to celebrate the immense amount of work it took from so many to usher in a new era in our city, and to also be honest about the challenges ahead of us. These are challenges that will be difficult, challenges that will require even more than what we have given thus far, and yet challenges that can still be approached with a joy of purpose—of delivering for the city that we all love and call home.”
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/zohran-mamdani-inauguration-bernie-interview/
Mayor to Mayor: A Conversation between Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani
Sep 19, 2025
Last week, I sat down with one of my political idols and mentors, @BernieSanders. We discussed how Bernie got his start in politics as mayor of Burlington, Vermont.
I am thrilled to share our whole conversation. We talked about everything from street plowing, foreign policy, and the importance of bringing joy to your city as mayor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
"The energy around what Bernie is doing is insane" ...
Jeremy Slevin, a senior adviser to Sanders, reported that in Iowa City, the senator gave "not one, not two, but three different speeches to overflow crowds," with 2,000 people lining up to see him speak "on a freezing cold day in a Republican district."
Pointing to the enthusiasm shown in Nebraska and Iowa, Sanders supporters questioned the idea, reportedly embraced by Democratic consultants and politicians, that "Americans don't understand the word oligarchy."
“Bernie Sanders Iowa City” is the most searched term in Iowa over the past 48 hours.
In the past 7 days, people in Nebraska, Alaska, and Wyoming round out the top 5 regions searching “Oligarchy.”
"Bernie Sanders launched an anti-oligarchy tour, and it's the only thing that has popularly resonated within the Democratic Party base," said Stoller. "That's fascinating and notable."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-donald-trump
Senator Sanders: We cannot apply international law only when it's convenient.
May 21, 2024
Even democratically-elected officials can commit war crimes. We cannot apply international law only when it’s convenient.
2024 Progressive Foreign Policy as a Political Force - Keynote Sen. Bernie Sanders
Keynote Address by Senator Bernie Sanders at Center for International Policy's 2024 Conference on February 6, 2024 at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
"We are living in a moment where political change is going to come to the United States and many countries around the world. The question is: what kind of change will that be? Will the United States and countries throughout the world move in the direction of more war and violence, more hatred and bigotry, more authoritarianism, and more oligarchy? Or will we, in our country and around the world, choose another path?"
Senator Sanders: No More Money For Netanyahu
Feb 9, 2024
Congress is about to send $14 billion in military aid to Netanyahu’s right-wing government, as he starves thousands of Palestinian children and is threatening a ground invasion of Rafah. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Sen. Sanders joins Chris Hayes to discuss his push for Gaza human rights inquiry, scrutiny
Jan 17, 2024
Sen. Bernie Sanders joins Chris Hayes to discuss his push for a Gaza human rights inquiry, why he’s calling for more scrutiny on Israel military aid and more.
Sen. Sanders: Letter to President Biden - stop funding this war, support UN efforts for a humanitarian ceasefire
Senator Sanders: We cannot be complicit in current approach of Israeli government
Dec 4, 2023
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/prepared-remarks-sanders-expresses-concerns-about-foreign-aid-supplemental-bill/
Cap Times Idea Fest 2023: One-on-One with Bernie Sanders
Sep 23, 2023
Join Cap Times associate editor John Nichols for a fascinating discussion with Bernie Sanders, the iconic Vermont senator whose outspoken leadership on progressive ideals made him a formidable candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020.
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