Mamdani endorses former Columbia encampment organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has endorsed Darializa Avila Chevalier, a former organizer of the Columbia University encampment, for Congress. The endorsement provides a significant boost to Avila Chevalier, who is running as a democratic socialist against five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District, which covers upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.

Avila Chevalier has made her opposition to U.S. support for Israel a central theme of her campaign. Her platform calls for an end to the "genocide and occupation in Palestine," divestment from "Israeli apartheid," and a halt to all funding for the Israeli government, with a reinvestment in domestic programs. She has stated her intention to vote for the Block the Bombs Act, which prohibits the sale of certain U.S.-made offensive weapons to Israel, and has participated in protests against weapons sales.

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I look forward to fighting for our shared vision of a more affordable New York, one where we invest in our communities, not in bombs abroad, in Congress.

Beyond foreign policy, Avila Chevalier's campaign priorities include abolishing ICE, increasing affordable housing, and securing federal funds for the city's public housing. Her activism in support of Palestinian rights dates back to her time at Columbia University, where she was involved with Students for Justice in Palestine and helped organize the 2024 Gaza encampment.

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We must end the genocide and occupation in Palestine, divest from Israeli apartheid, stop all funding to the Israeli government, and reinvest in us.

Mayor Mamdani praised Avila Chevalier for her work on issues such as immigrant protection and affordability, without specifically mentioning Israel or foreign policy in his endorsement statement. He highlighted her campaign's grassroots support, stating, "Her campaign is powered by working people ready to reject a politics of big money and demand something better."

Mamdani, who identifies as anti-Zionist, has also endorsed other New York congressional candidates who oppose U.S. military aid to Israel. Critics have noted that Espaillat had previously endorsed Mamdani during his mayoral campaign, suggesting a potential reneging on a past commitment.

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Her campaign is powered by working people ready to reject a politics of big money and demand something better. Let’s go win this.