On October 10, 2025, a tense scene unfolded in Lower Manhattan as Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist mayoral candidate for New York City, was chased from Foley Square by a furious protester. The incident, which quickly went viral after being captured on video, has become a flashpoint in the already heated mayoral race and a symbol of the increasingly fraught political climate in the city.
The protester, identified by multiple outlets including The New York Post and PIX-11 as Raul Rivera, 55, of the Bronx, confronted Mamdani as the candidate left a rally supporting New York Attorney General Letitia James. Rivera, known for his relentless heckling of both liberal and conservative politicians, shouted accusations of antisemitism at Mamdani and demanded he denounce Hezbollah and Sharia law. "Antisemite! Denounce Sharia law! Denounce Hezbollah! You can’t do it!" Rivera yelled, as Mamdani, flanked by security, made his way to a waiting black SUV. The situation escalated into a brief shoving match between Rivera and one of Mamdani’s staffers before the SUV sped away, according to FNTV footage cited by The New York Post.
Rivera, sporting a backward baseball cap and clutching what appeared to be a President Trump flag, repeatedly shouted, "Get the f—k off me, bro!" as a member of Mamdani’s team tried to keep him at bay. The chaotic scene was punctuated by the voice of a woman in the getaway vehicle shouting at Rivera to "get a job" before driving off with the candidate safely inside.
This was not Rivera’s first run-in with Mamdani’s campaign. Back in June 2025, Rivera was arrested after allegedly biting a 29-year-old Mamdani campaign volunteer during a news conference in Lower Manhattan. According to PIX-11, the volunteer was taken to the hospital for treatment, and Rivera was charged with assault. At that event, Rivera had accused Mamdani of being anti-Israel, and the altercation escalated when the volunteer intervened.
The confrontation on October 10 came just after Mamdani had addressed the crowd at Foley Square, where he spoke in support of Attorney General Letitia James. James had been charged the day before with mortgage fraud related to a property she owns in Virginia. Mamdani denounced the charges as politically motivated, declaring, "This is a blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a shameless act of political retribution. And instead of prosecuting Tish James for doing her job, Donald Trump should be doing his." James, a frequent critic of former President Trump, had previously secured a civil judgment against him and the Trump Organization, which was later overturned on appeal.
Mamdani’s campaign has been dogged by controversy, particularly over his past use of the phrase "globalize the intifada"—a slogan many Jewish groups interpret as a call to violence. While Mamdani has since sought to clarify his position, saying on Meet the Press in June, "That’s not the language I would use," and promising to "protect Jewish New Yorkers" if elected, critics remain unsatisfied. In a subsequent appearance, he said he would "discourage" others from using the term "intifada." Nevertheless, Mamdani’s harsh criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza has continued to draw fire from both sides of the political spectrum.
On October 7, 2025, the second anniversary of Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel, Mamdani posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that attempted to strike a balance. "Two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more," he wrote. "I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage still held and for every family whose lives were torn apart by these atrocities." However, in the same statement, Mamdani condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government for launching what he called a "genocidal war," claiming a death toll in Gaza "that now far exceeds 67,000." He added, "Our government has been complicit through it all."
This attempt at nuance pleased few. The Israeli Foreign Ministry reposted Mamdani’s statement and accused him of acting as a "mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda," writing on X, "By repeating Hamas’s lies, he excuses terror and normalizes antisemitism. He stands with Jews only when they are dead. Shameful." Meanwhile, both Democratic and Republican critics at home seized on his comments to renew calls for him to explicitly denounce groups like Hezbollah and to clarify his stance on Sharia law—demands echoed by Rivera during the Foley Square confrontation.
Public advocate Jumaane Williams, who was present at the scene but not involved in the altercation, offered a more philosophical take. "One of the good things is we’re out here to allow people like this to do this. In an authoritarian regime, they’d be thrown away, but we protect everybody—including them," Williams said, flashing a peace sign for the cameras.
The incident in Foley Square is just the latest example of the increasingly toxic atmosphere surrounding New York City politics. Rivera, described by a Democratic councilman as someone who "harasses everyone" and is "a loser," has made a habit of showing up at political events to heckle officials on both the left and right. Yet his confrontations with Mamdani have been especially pointed, reflecting the deep divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict and the broader debate about the boundaries of political speech, protest, and public safety.
Mamdani, for his part, has tried to walk a fine line. He has repeatedly emphasized his support for Israel’s right to exist and his opposition to antisemitism, even as he continues to criticize Israeli government policy and U.S. involvement in the conflict. He has also publicly expressed support for Palestinians and previously declared he would arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visited New York, a position that has further inflamed his critics.
As the mayoral race heats up, the Foley Square incident has become a Rorschach test for New Yorkers on all sides of the political divide. For some, Mamdani’s willingness to speak out against both Hamas and Israeli military actions marks him as a principled voice in a polarized debate. For others, his refusal to unequivocally denounce certain slogans or groups raises troubling questions about his allegiances and judgment.
One thing is clear: the confrontation in Manhattan has put the spotlight squarely on the intersection of protest, free speech, and political accountability in the nation’s largest city. With passions running high and the stakes of the mayoral race only growing, New Yorkers can expect more flashpoints—and more difficult conversations—in the months ahead.
In the end, the events at Foley Square serve as a vivid reminder of the challenges facing candidates and citizens alike as they navigate the complex terrain of politics, protest, and public discourse in 2025.
