Jacobin Radio Jacobin Radio: The Grassroots Coalition Behind Mamdani
Nov 18, 2025
Alina Shen, Organizing Director at CAAAV, brings her experience in building tenant unions among immigrant communities. Jagpreet Singh, Political Director of DRUM Beats, shares insights on grassroots mobilization within South Asian and Indo-Caribbean populations. Alicé Nascimento of NYCC discusses neighborhood canvassing and accountability strategies. They highlight how grassroots organizations expanded the electorate, mobilized diverse communities, and strategized for political victory while preparing for potential pushback from real estate interests.
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Base Building Enabled Electoral Breakthrough
- Long-term base building gave organizers credibility to expand the electorate and endorse a democratic socialist candidate.
- Alina Shen says organizing turned electoral fights into tactical moves to change living conditions, not personality-driven contests.
Activating South Asian And Indo‑Caribbean Voters
- Jagpreet Singh recalled low turnout in South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities and structural exclusion from outreach.
- He described endorsing early and using community events to introduce Mamdani's affordability message widely.
Campaigns As Organizing Tools
- Organizations shifted conversations from candidate charisma to building durable organizations that enforce promises.
- Alina Shen emphasizes asking people to join tenant unions so the campaign becomes part of a longer-term struggle.