Part 3/9:
This comparison was not meant to be a mere symbolic gesture but aimed at highlighting how global conflicts and militarized policing intersect with local issues, especially in a city as diverse and politically charged as New York. Mamdani argued that for the city's working-class residents, time is scarce, and frustrations run high; thus, political messaging must be rooted in material realities rather than abstract symbolism. Bringing international contexts into local issues seeks to resonate with the city's diverse populations, many of whom have familial or personal connections to conflict zones.