Zohran Mamdani formally took the oath of workplace because the clock struck midnight on New Yr’s Eve, changing into the 112th mayor of New York Metropolis.
In a non-public ceremony at the abandoned Old City Hall subway station, Mamdani was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The 34-year-old Democratic socialist, who served within the thirty sixth Meeting District representing the Queens neighborhood of Astoria, is now the city’s first Muslim mayor and its first of South Asian descent.
“That is really the glory and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani stated in a quick speech.
Yuki Iwamura / AP
Mamdani referred to as previous subway station a “testomony to the significance of public transit to the vitality, the well being and the legacy of our metropolis.” He then introduced the appointment of Mike Flynn as his new Division of Transportation commissioner.
Public oath to be taken Thursday afternoon
Mamdani will publicly take the oath of workplace, administered by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Metropolis Corridor. CBS News New York will stream the ceremony dwell.
The brand new mayor’s public swearing-in will accompany a block party celebration in Lower Manhattan that runs from 11 a.m. to three p.m. Anybody planning to attend must RSVP online.
Dubbed the “Inauguration of a New Period,” it is going to happen within the famed “Canyon of Heroes,” from Liberty Avenue to Murray Avenue — a historic stretch alongside Broadway. The route is known for ticker-tape parades which have honored athletes, astronauts, politicians and New York heroes.
The celebration will embrace music, performances and interfaith parts, Mamdani’s transition staff stated.
Mamdani’s inauguration is anticipated to attract media consideration from throughout the nation and world wide.
“I believe there may be actually going to be numerous vitality. I believe many people who’ve had an opportunity to cowl Mamdani and to {photograph} him have actually seen the charisma up shut, and I believe he has actually been capable of like create these connections to so many alternative New Yorkers,” photographer Amanda Briggs stated.
In preparation for the switch of energy, Mamdani appointed 5 new high-ranking members of his administration during the last two days, together with a new city schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels.
What to learn about new DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn
With greater than twenty years of expertise in each the private and non-private sectors, Flynn shall be counted on to assist Mamdani obtain a lot of his affordability targets, including free buses, one of many new mayor’s signature coverage proposals.
Previous to his appointment, Flynn was a vp and sector supervisor for TYLin Metropolis Options, the place he, in keeping with Mamdani’s transition web site, “supported groups of engineers, planners, designers, and neighborhood outreach specialists working throughout disciplines to resolve complicated transportation, improvement, and infrastructure challenges all through the New York Metropolis area.”
Earlier in his profession, Flynn labored for the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation for nearly 10 years, holding senior management positions, together with Director of Capital Planning and Venture Initiation, a task during which he “guided the planning and supply of main capital avenue enchancment initiatives supporting site visitors security, bus precedence, and new public areas citywide,” Mamdani’s web site says.
“I’m honored by the belief Mayor Zohran Mamdani has positioned in me to guide the Division of Transportation and work alongside this staff to ship for New Yorkers. Transportation is important to affordability and high quality of life, it determines how individuals get to work, faculty, and residential safely. I stay up for constructing a DOT that strikes quicker, places security first, and delivers actual wins for working New Yorkers,” Flynn stated in a press release.
What transportation specialists say about Mike Flynn
Some specialists on transportation within the Large Apple say Flynn is a wonderful selection to guide the division going ahead.
“RPA applauds the Mamdani Administration for appointing Mike Flynn as DOT Commissioner. He’s a well-respected professional and chief in metropolis transportation coverage and we’re excited to assist him perform a imaginative and prescient for higher bus service and safer streets,” Kate Slevin, government vp of the Regional Plan Affiliation, stated in a press release.
“Mike is aware of the company, the town and its streets from the within out,” added former metropolis DOT commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “Mike shall be a robust voice for Mayor Mamdani and for all New Yorkers in making transportation work for them, and for turning proposals into initiatives within the floor that may make the town’s streets safer, extra accessible and inexpensive.”
