Mamdani v. The Establishment: What His Campaign Means for America [Meet the BIPOC Press Series] [Episode Cut]

What a Mamdani Win Would Mean for Local Communities**: As the mayoral race heats up, we examine how a Mamdani administration would impact working-class families in New York City, with a focus on affordable housing, policy prescriptions, and the potential shift in national politics, featuring insights from Laura Flanders and journalists working around the country for this month's Meet the BIPOC Press.

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Description:  Wherever you are in the county, you’ve probably heard the name “Zohran Mamdani”. New York City’s mayoral race is a national story, and it’s hard to overstate the significance of the leading candidate in this moment. If elected, Mamdani would become the first Muslim-American and only the second Democratic Socialist Mayor of the largest city in the U.S. His victory, on a promise to make New York affordable for working people, would have implications for politics everywhere. The race is already garnering both excitement and anxiety. President Trump is threatening to withhold federal funding for New York City if Mamdani wins. From Chicago to Dearborn, Michigan, journalists are watching. In this installment of “Meet the BIPOC Press”, Laura Flanders speaks with Felipe De La Hoz, investigative immigration and policy reporter whose work has been featured in The Intercept, The Washington Post, New York Mag and The Nation; Osama Siblani, publisher and founder of The Arab American News, the largest Arab American newspaper in the U.S., and Asha Ransby-Sporn, organizer and writer for In These Times and co-founder of Black Youth Project 100, where she led the group's national organizing program. Join us as we explore what a Mamdani victory would signal for the nation.

Guests:

• Felipe De La Hoz: Immigration & Policy Reporter, Epicenter NYC

• Asha Ransby-Sporn: Writer & Political Strategist; Columnist, In These Times

• Osama Siblani: Publisher, The Arab American News

Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel October 26th, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio October 29th  (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.   The full uncut conversation is also available to podcast subscribers.

RESOURCES:

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

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•  Jacqueline Woodson & Catherine Gund: Breathing Through Chaos & the  “Meanwhile”- Watch / Listen:  Episode and Full Uncut Conversation

•  Mamdani, Black Farmers, USDA & ICE: The Stories BIPOC Journalists Uncover-  Watch / Listen:  Episode and Full Uncut Conversation

Related Articles and Resources:

• California City Residents Denounce Plan to Build State’s Largest Immigrant Detention Center, by ACoM, August 4, 2025, American Community Media

•  Dolores Huerta Leads Protest Against California’s Largest Planned ICE Detention Center, by Steve Virgen, CA Neighborhood Reporter, July 30, 2025, 23ABC News KERO

• Forbes Power Women’s Summit 2025:  Building What’s Next, September 25, 2025, Forbes

•  About el Teatro Campesino’s Luis Valdez, Founding Artistic Director

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.

Music Credit: "Libertango” by Stephan Wrembel’s from the ‘Django New Orleans II  Hors Série’' courtesy of the artist, "Steppin" by Podington Bear and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper

Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00

Lessons from Chicago: A National Progressive Wave

00:02:25

Why Mamdani's Ground Game Resonates with Voters

00:04:53

Mamdani Represents Anguish of Left-Behind Voters

00:08:52

Connecting Black Voters to the Progressive Movement

00:13:13

Embracing Policy: Mamdani's Direct Campaign Approach

00:18:42

How Social Media Shapes Political Narratives

00:22:55

Challenges for Progressive Executives in Big Cities

00:25:01

Empowering Communities Through Political Engagement

00:30:30

Corporate Influence on Media and Local Politics

00:34:30

Covering Local Politics: Context and Realpolitik

00:36:40

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer;  Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer.

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ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel