Ceremonial swearing-in set to start
Dignitaries and others gather for the ceremonial swearing-in.
The ceremonial swearing-in of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's is about to begin at City Hall Plaza.
Thousands thronged into the plaza ahead of the scheduled 1 p.m. ceremony, with thousands more gathered Broadway's Canyon of Heroes.
Patrick Gaspard, a top aide to former President Barack Obama, who has been advising Mamdani since before he was elected, is among the VIP guests.
Earlier this year, Newsday reported that Gaspard, who was also a veteran of New York City Hall, was among the Democratic honchos counseling the new mayor on how not to repeat the mistakes of past Democratic administrations, including Obama.
The actor, singer and Mamdani supporter Mandy Patinkin is seated in the VIP section. Patinkin made a video last month celebrating Hanukkah with Mamdani.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is slated to administer the oath to Mamdani, who was officially sworn just after midnight.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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