NYC NOW Evening Roundup: Bangladeshi voters Help Propel Mamdani to Victory, and How the Internet Fell for a Chinatown Passport Photographer
Nov 6, 2025
Ramzi Khalifa, a WNYC reporter, discusses the significant role Bangladeshi voters in Kensington played in propelling Zohran Mamdani to a historic mayoral victory in New York City. Meanwhile, Ryan Kost shares how a Chinatown film shop, Liz Digital, went viral for its simple yet flattering passport portraits, captivating the internet. The episode highlights community engagement in politics and the unexpected rise of local talents in a digital age.
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Kensington Celebration Fuels Local Pride
- Bangladeshi New Yorkers in Kensington celebrated Zoran Mamdani’s mayoral victory with chai and beef biryani in a crowded community center basement.
- Community members said Mamdani represents all New Yorkers and hope he brings Kensington's voice to City Hall.
Rising South Asian Political Influence
- City data and local turnout show Bangladeshi and broader South Asian political power is rising in New York City.
- Voters in 2024 turned out in much higher numbers for Mamdani than in 2021, shaping the primary outcome.
Local Voters Emphasize Universal Issues
- At the event, attendees chanted in Bengali and emphasized human rights and middle-class issues over identity politics.
- Muhammadudin and Mohamed Haider said they support Mamdani because he will work for all New Yorkers, not just one nation.