New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday refrained from stating his position on the existence of prisons while endorsing Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic candidate for New York's 13th Congressional District known for her progressive stances, including past calls to abolish prisons.
During an appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” Mamdani responded to a question about his stance on prisons by saying, “There are prisons.” He then pivoted to discuss public safety efforts in the city, stating, “What we’re also showing in this city is that safety is not something that’s up for debate; it is something that we’re actually delivering on.”
This stance contrasts with comments Mamdani made in 2020 during his campaign for state assembly, when he questioned the purpose of prisons. At that time, he suggested that proponents of the carceral system often defend the idea rather than its reality, asking, "If you actually break it down and ask people how many people come out of the prison system better than they went into the prison system, how much harm is actually being prevented versus created?"
Mamdani's past social media activity also included criticism of the New York Police Department, which he once described as “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety” and called to “#DefundTheNYPD.” He has since stated that he is not running to defund the police and that he has evolved. However, his office did not comment on his current position regarding prisons.
Avila Chevalier, who recently won the Democratic nomination for New York's 13th Congressional District, has reportedly removed past social media posts advocating for the abolition of prisons and the border, as well as content related to communism. The notes also indicate she has made critical remarks about former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and has posted controversial statements regarding interracial relationships.
Mamdani, when asked about Avila Chevalier's candidacy, focused on her appeal to working people. "The focus of her candidacy was about the struggle that working people are facing,” he said. “And I think that we can have disagreements on policy positions. What we have to agree on is what are we fighting for and who are we fighting for. She showed that in her race, and I think that many people will come to appreciate that in her leadership to come.”
Mamdani has been a proponent of shuttering the Rikers Island jail complex, which houses a significant portion of the city's incarcerated individuals. Avila Chevalier's primary victory over Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat has positioned her as a notable figure in the upcoming congressional race.