Video of protesters chanting "we support Hamas" in a predominantly Jewish Queens neighborhood drew strong condemnation from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Officials called the chants dangerous and antisemitic, while Mamdani stressed public safety and the constitutional right to protest. The incident, which circulated widely on social media, comes amid heightened tensions following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and underscores legal and community concerns about endorsements of designated terrorist organizations.
Hochul, AOC and Mayor Mamdani Condemn 'We Support Hamas' Chants at Queens Protest as 'Disgusting and Antisemitic'
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., condemned the clip circulated widely on social media.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly condemned chants of "we support Hamas" captured at a protest in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens.
Video circulating on social media shows demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting in unison. The footage prompted swift rebukes from leaders at the city, state and federal levels, who called the chants dangerous and antisemitic.
Officials Denounce Chants
Ocasio-Cortez criticized both the chant and the choice of venue for the march. "Marching into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and leading with a chant saying 'we support Hamas' is a disgusting and antisemitic thing to do," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Hochul: "Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews. No matter your political beliefs, this type of rhetoric is disgusting, it’s dangerous, and it has no place in New York."
Mayor Mamdani also addressed the incident, emphasizing public safety while defending the constitutional right to protest. "Chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city," he wrote, adding that the city will work to ensure the safety of New Yorkers entering and exiting houses of worship.
Context And Legal Notes
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, and federal law prohibits providing material support to designated terrorist groups. The incident comes amid heightened tensions nationwide over demonstrations tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also condemned the chants on social media: "Hamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists. Period."
Critics pointed to a previous interview in which Mayor Mamdani declined to directly condemn Hamas and instead discussed affordability issues for New Yorkers; his more recent comments stress both public safety and the right to protest. Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment from Fox News Digital.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights ongoing tensions surrounding public demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas conflict and raises questions about where and how protests are conducted to avoid targeting or intimidating religious and ethnic communities. Leaders' swift responses underline the political sensitivity and legal implications of endorsing or appearing to endorse a designated terrorist organization.
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