AOC opens ceremony: 'Ascent marks a new era'
Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez opened the inauguration ceremony just after 1:35 p.m. Crowds cheered as she took the stage.
Ocasio-Cortez noted that Mamdani's "ascent marks the new era for New York City."
She said New York City residents have "chosen historic, ambitious leadership in response to untenable and unprecedented times."
"New York, we have chosen courage over fear. We have chosen prosperity for the many over the spoils for the few," she said.
The congresswoman added that Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim mayor and the first immigrant mayor in over a century and the youngest mayor in generations.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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