Zohran Mamdani chased out of NYC park by protester shouting ‘antisemite’

Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was confronted and chased out of Lower Manhattan on Friday by a persistent City Hall protester, who accused him of antisemitism and got into a shoving match with a member of Mamdani’s team.

The protester, identified by sources as Raul Rivera, 55, of the Bronx, followed Mamdani as security escorted him into a waiting SUV, video footage shows. Rivera, who was previously arrested in June for allegedly biting a Mamdani campaign volunteer, shouted and cursed at the candidate while Mamdani ignored him and climbed into the vehicle.

Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was chased out of downtown Manhattan Friday by an enraged protester who slammed him as an “antisemite.”AP

The encounter occurred after Mamdani participated in a Foley Square protest supporting state Attorney General Letitia James, who is facing federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

Video shows Rivera shouting, “Antisemite! Denounce Sharia law! Denounce Hezbollah! You can’t do it!” as Mamdani approached the SUV. A staffer intervened when Rivera got too close, shoving him back after Rivera called Mamdani a “f—king rat.”

The shorter Rivera, wearing a backward baseball cap and holding what appeared to be a President Trump flag, repeatedly pushed back against the staffer, yelling, “Get the f—k off me, bro!”

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A member of Mamdani’s team intervened after Rivera walked too close to the vehicle and shoved him away after the agitator screamed Mamdani is a “f–king rat.”FNTV

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was present but not involved in the confrontation, spoke to the camera, saying, “One of the good things is we’re out here to allow people like this to do this. In an authoritarian regime, they’d be thrown away, but we protect everybody — including them,” before flashing a peace sign.

A woman driving Mamdani’s vehicle could be heard telling Rivera to “get a job” before driving off with the candidate.

Rivera has a history of confronting both left-leaning and conservative politicians at public events. In June, he allegedly bit a 29-year-old Mamdani campaign volunteer during a news conference in Lower Manhattan. The woman required hospital treatment, and Rivera was arrested and charged with assault.

The latest confrontation came amid tensions over Mamdani’s recent comments marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 terror attack. Mamdani criticized the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, calling the conflict “genocidal” and alleging U.S. complicity. His remarks drew intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

The Democratic socialist was ushered by security into his car as the irate man followed and demanded he denounce Hezbollah and Sharia.FNTV

Mamdani has previously faced scrutiny for his past use of the phrase “globalize the intifada,” though he has since emphasized his support for Israel and condemnation of antisemitism.

After the Foley Square protest, Mamdani also criticized the Trump administration, calling the federal charges against James “politically motivated vengeance.” He added, “Instead of prosecuting Tish James for doing her job, Donald Trump should be doing his.”

James won a civil judgment against President Trump and the Trump Organization last year over inflated real estate valuations, resulting in $355 million in penalties, which were later overturned on appeal, drawing sharp criticism from the president.

Mamdani declined to comment further on the Friday confrontation, and Rivera could not be reached for comment.

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