Mamdani Returns From Uganda and Visits Slain Officer's Family

New York Times

6 days ago

When the deadliest shooting in New York City in 25 years unfolded earlier this week, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, was in a less than ideal position to respond: He was at the tail end of a 10-day trip to Uganda to celebrate his recent marriage.
Some critics and Democratic rivals like former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who is running for mayor on a third-party line, pounced on Mr. Mamdani for taking an extended vacation during the general election campaign.
But upon Mr. Mamdani's return to New York on Wednesday, he moved swiftly to change the narrative.
Shortly after landing at Kennedy International Airport, Mr. Mamdani was seen entering the home of Police Officer Didarul Islam, who was killed in the mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. Mr. Mamdani was holding flowers.
The candidate stayed with the officer's family for roughly an hour before leaving the home through a side door, appearing solemn as he avoided reporters outside the house in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. He could be seen embracing a family member before entering his vehicle.
Mr. Mamdani planned to address the shooting at a news conference in the afternoon with two groups whose members had been killed in the attack: the union that represents building workers and the Bangladeshi American Police Association.
The news conference will be held at the Manhattan headquarters of 32BJ SEIU, a prominent union that endorsed Mr. Mamdani and whose member, Aland Etienne, was an unarmed security officer who was killed in the shooting.
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