Marking the first 100 days of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration in New York, labor unions, tenant groups, and immigrant organizations came together to celebrate what they describe as the beginning of a “government for the people.” At an event held on April 12, leaders from the People’s Majority Alliance said that working-class and immigrant New Yorkers overcame the influence of millions of dollars spent by billionaires to bring about this political shift.
Alina Shen, Organizing Director of CAAAV Voice, said, “Working-class and immigrant communities are celebrating the first 100 days of a mayor who is accountable to the people, not to profit. This affordability agenda came from the people, and it will be delivered by the people.”
She added, “From pressuring the Hochul administration to tax the rich to fighting for tenant rights, our movement is working with the Mamdani administration to advance a working-class vision for New York.”
During these 100 days, the administration and grassroots organizations have jointly taken several significant steps. In February, more than a thousand New Yorkers rallied in Albany to pressure Governor Kathy Hochul to tax the wealthy. At the same time, 1,358 tenants shared their housing struggles through the “Rental Rip-Off” hearings.
Sumathy Kumar, Director of the NYS Tenant Bloc, said, “From day one, the mayor has shown a commitment to tenants. From the Rental Rip-Off hearings to appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board, it is clear this administration understands that tenants cannot continue living under the burden of deteriorating housing and rising rents.”
The administration has also worked closely with tenant organizations to take action against landlords with poor records and to prevent building sales to those who have violated housing laws in the past.
Jen Gaboury, First Vice President of PSC/CUNY, said, “These 100 days have shown that prioritizing workers is good for New York. Recovering wages, standing up to corrupt landlords, and calling for a fair tax system—this multi-pronged approach will help address the city’s affordability crisis.”
James Inniss, Interim Political Director of New York Communities for Change, said, “From day one, this administration has shown that government can work for working-class people. From fixing potholes and clearing snow to creating tenant protection offices and expanding childcare funding, we are seeing real changes.”
Grace Mausser, Co-Chair of NYC-DSA, said, “In just 100 days, it has been proven that democratic socialists can govern—and govern well. Childcare funding, worker restitution, fast snow removal, and direct engagement with thousands of tenants all demonstrate that.”
Fahd Ahmed, Executive Director of DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving), said, “This administration has shown that if the government truly wants, it can improve people’s lives. From expanding childcare to helping workers recover unpaid wages and demanding fair taxation, the commitment to the people is clear.”
Key achievements of the administration’s first 100 days include securing $1.2 billion for universal childcare, recovering $8.5 million in worker restitution, issuing 60,000 compliance warnings to businesses, expanding protected time off for 4.3 million workers, fixing over 93,000 potholes, and enrolling 6,000 people in the city’s emergency snow shoveling program.
According to the organizations, despite pressure from billionaires, political opposition, and threats of federal cuts to social services, the Mamdani administration has stood with working-class New Yorkers. However, they also acknowledged that much work remains to make New York truly affordable.
In their words, these first 100 days are only the beginning. The struggle will continue, and the future of the city will be shaped by the collective power of organized people.
