In the bustling heart of New York City, a political rally on Sunday turned into a vibrant display of support for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. With the backing of high-profile figures such as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani sought to galvanize his base as the election race reached its decisive phase. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Mamdani described his campaign as a “movement of the masses.”

The Democratic nominee took to the stage in Queens, where he, alongside two of the nation’s most prominent progressives, positioned his candidacy as a challenge to the influence of billionaires and “oligarchs” who have aligned with his rivals. “When you insist on building a coalition with room for every New Yorker, that is exactly what you create: a tremendous force,” Mamdani declared. “This, my friends, was your movement, and it always will be.”

The rally reverberated with chants of Mamdani’s name as he outlined his ambitious plans. These include hiring thousands of new teachers, renegotiating city contracts, imposing a freeze on rent increases for New York’s million rent-regulated apartments, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring universal child care.

With early voting already in progress ahead of the November 4th Election Day, Mamdani—a democratic socialist—finds himself in an increasingly heated contest. His main opponents are former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is pursuing an independent bid following his primary loss to Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, who also spent Sunday campaigning in Queens.

Cuomo has been vocal in his criticism of Mamdani, portraying the 34-year-old state assemblymember as an inexperienced candidate whose policies could harm the city. In a Sunday morning radio interview, Cuomo asserted his identity as the genuine Democrat in the race, warning that Mamdani’s brand of democratic socialism might drive away residents and businesses.

Cuomo has sought to cast Mamdani, a 34-year-old state assemblymember, as a naive candidate whose agenda would damage the city. In a radio interview Sunday morning, Cuomo argued that he is the real Democrat in the race while saying Mamdani’s democratic socialism would result in an exodus of residents and businesses.

“The socialists want to take over the Democratic Party. That’s what Bernie Sanders is all about. That’s what AOC is all about,” Cuomo said, adding, “He wins, book airline tickets for Florida now.”

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following a barrage of sexual harassment allegations that he denies. Mamdani has often pressed Cuomo over the allegations, and on Sunday he told the crowd that it is time to leave behind the former governor’s “playbook of the past.” But he urged supporters not to take his lead in the polls for granted and to turn out to vote.

“We cannot allow complacency to infiltrate this movement,” Mamdani said.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have supported his campaign for months including before the Democratic primary in June. On Sunday they cast Mamdani as an antidote to what they called the creeping authoritarianism of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes Queens, said a victory for Mamdani will send a message nationally that a progressive message can prevail.

“It is not a coincidence that the very forces that Zohran is up against in this race mirrors what we are up against nationally … an authoritarian, criminal presidency fueled by corruption and bigotry, and an ascendant right-wing extremist movement,” she said.

Sanders said a Mayor Mamdani would represent “not the billionaire class” but working families.

“In the year 2025, when the people on top have never, ever had so much economic and political power, is it possible for ordinary people, for working class people, to come together and defeat those oligarchs?” Sanders said. “You’re damn right we can.”

Under the slogan “New York Is Not For Sale,” the rally featured rousing speeches from religious and labor leaders along with state elected officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The event was emceed by Sarah Sherman of “Saturday Night Live.”

Mamdani recently received an endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a moderate New York Democrat. Jeffries, in a statement, said he has disagreements with Mamdani but supports him as the nominee, adding that the party should unify against Republicans and Trump.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams abandoned his reelection campaign and endorsed Cuomo.