New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was met with boos and profanity when he appeared on stage at a National Night Out Against Crime celebration in Staten Island on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred as Scott LoBaido, a patriotic artist and activist, suffered a cardiac arrest after attempting to approach the mayor.
Mamdani spoke for less than a minute at the event, greeting the crowd and thanking local officials. Despite the vocal backlash, he maintained a smile as he delivered brief remarks before departing the stage. The crowd continued to boo him as he left.
Shortly after Mamdani left the stage, LoBaido, who had expressed opposition to the mayor's policies regarding the NYPD, attempted to question him. According to a witness, LoBaido was prevented from reaching the mayor by officers at the event. He then stated he was not feeling well, sat down, and subsequently collapsed. Emergency personnel performed CPR and administered aid before transporting him to the hospital, where he was later reported to be in critical but stable condition. LoBaido later posted on Facebook, confirming he was recovering.
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The National Night Out Against Crime is an annual event aimed at fostering police-community partnerships. This year's celebration in Staten Island, like others across the city, featured family-friendly activities such as bounce houses, face painting, and performances.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was retained by Mayor Mamdani, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the collaborative nature of public safety. Mamdani's reception in Staten Island, a borough that voted against his mayoral election, highlights existing political divisions within the city.
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