New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly faced a hostile reception during a community event on Staten Island this week, with attendees loudly booing the Democratic Socialist as he took the stage at the borough’s annual National Night Out celebration.
The mayor appeared Tuesday at the 43rd annual event in Midland Beach, where police departments across the country traditionally gather with local residents for family-friendly activities designed to strengthen ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Social media videos circulating on X and Instagram captured the tense moment as Mamdani made his way to the podium before an estimated crowd of roughly 3,500 people gathered along the boardwalk. As he enthusiastically walked onto the stage, many in attendance responded with loud boos that continued throughout his brief remarks.
Despite the hostile reaction, Mamdani maintained a smile during his appearance.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” the mayor said as the crowd continued voicing its displeasure.
The videos also showed artist and activist Scott Lobaido rushing toward the stage while pointing repeatedly at the mayor and shouting. Several New York Police Department officers intervened, appearing to hold Lobaido back before escorting him away from the stage area.
At the same time, another person in the crowd could be heard shouting, “Get out of here! Nobody wants you here!”
Mamdani remained at the podium for less than a minute before concluding his remarks. After briefly shaking hands with several individuals on stage, he smiled once more toward the audience and quickly departed the event.
The reception marked another public setback for the mayor, who has drawn sustained criticism from conservatives since winning the November election. His policy proposals, including plans for free grocery stores in New York City and free bus service, have also generated widespread criticism.
The Staten Island appearance was the second time in recent days that Mamdani encountered public resistance. According to the report, he was also denied an opportunity to speak at the funeral of a fallen soldier.
The event took another dramatic turn after Lobaido later suffered a medical emergency. According to SI Live, the Staten Island activist went into cardiac arrest following the confrontation and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Lobaido has long been known across Staten Island and New York City for attention-grabbing art projects and political demonstrations.
Among his better-known stunts was an arrest after blocking a speed camera on Staten Island with flowers. He has also placed mock traffic signs featuring the silhouette of President Donald Trump throughout New York City and organized a large balloon release outside Trump’s criminal trial in downtown Manhattan while the president faced accusations involving hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Videos from the National Night Out gathering quickly spread across social media, highlighting the crowd’s overwhelmingly negative reaction to the mayor’s appearance. The footage showed repeated boos from attendees as Mamdani attempted to address the audience before ending his remarks in under a minute and leaving the stage.
The incident underscores the continuing opposition Mamdani has faced in parts of New York City, particularly on Staten Island, where his appearance at what is typically a community-focused event was met with loud public criticism from many in attendance.
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