On 1 January, New York city swore in mayor Zohran Mamdani. Just over a week later, he’s achieved something which many believed was impossible:

This is being his first success is really remarkable, I had always written it off as easily the least likely to be accomplished because it relied entirely on the state government. https://t.co/Kf4ZznhS3v

— ettingermentum (@ettingermentum) January 10, 2026

Zohran Mamdani and Democratic socialism in action

Zohran Mamdani is a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America. In their own words:

The Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 80,000 members and chapters in all 50 states. We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few.

Also:

We are a political and activist organization, not a party; through campus and community-based chapters, DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action, to fight for reforms that empower working people.

In the video at the top, mayor Mamdani says:

When I launched my campaign for mayor over a year ago, I made three promises to New Yorkers: freeze the rent for rent-stabilized tenants, make buses fast and free, and deliver universal childcare.

Some said these goals were impossible, unrealistic, naive.

Yesterday, our movement won a historic victory for working families across the city.

On day eight of our administration, we announced the beginning of universal childcare for all New Yorkers.

As part of his campaign to promote universal childcare, Mamdani visited children with Ms. Rachel — the entertainer who’s acted as a fierce defender of children across the world, including in Palestine:

This morning, Ms. Rachel and I visited District 2 Pre-K Center, where we sang and read with the wonderful students and educators. We also discussed universal childcare – and how we’re making it happen for NYC! pic.twitter.com/974M24kt64

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 9, 2026

Mamdani has also been out and about fixing bumps and potholes:

I’ve biked over this so many times and wanted it fixed. The madman did it.

Mamdani has now positively affected my life more than any other politician has. Alhamdulillah https://t.co/w2HafWceui

— kali yuga citizen (@kaliyugacitizen) January 6, 2026

On the eighth day

Continuing, Mamdani said:

Yesterday in Flatbush, I stood alongside Governor Kathy Hochul to announce a $1.2bn commitment in state funding for universal child care. As the governor said, the days of empty promises are over.

This investment will allow us to make child care for three-year-olds truly universal in New York City by adding more seats in neighborhoods where families have been shut out for far too long. It will allow us to start providing universal child care to two-year-olds, delivering it to all of them by the end of our first term.

At the end of the year, thousands of parents will look at their bank accounts and see that they have now saved more than $20,000 per child.

That is real relief. It is real change.

And it is a testament to government’s ability to make people’s lives better.

The importance of Mamdani’s victory isn’t just what he can achieve in New York; it’s in his ability to demonstrate what’s possible in politics.

The media and political establishment have long sought to convince us that there’s only one direction of travel, and that direction is down (unless you’re rich, of course, in which case the sky’s the limit).

By implementing a staunchly collectivist policy in the clogged heart of the capitalist system, Mamdani has opened people’s eyes to what can be done.

In his own words:

No longer will New Yorkers be forced to accept that starting a family means leaving the city you love.

Every political victory is a choice.

And yesterday, Governor Hochul and I made the choice to deliver for working families and children.

The work has only just begun. There is so much more to do to deliver truly universal child care for every family, every child, and every New Yorker we serve. But never let anyone tell you that progress needs to be slow.

Featured image via Twitter

By Willem Moore

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