Thousands gather in the biting cold in lower Manhattan for the inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The Mamdani team had announced the public “block party” event for supporters several blocks from City Hall, where the official ceremony is taking place.
A huge crowd is stranded outside the event security perimeter and there is little movement forward. The temperature is well below freezing.
The crowd complains and attempts to understand the security arrangements and access to the event. Some are watching the event on their phones and others stand on tiptoes or scaffolding for a view of the entrance.
There is no music, announcements, screens or information from organizers.
“Do you think we’ll witness anything?” one man asks his friends.
“I think it’s over,” his friend says.
A nearby woman says, “This is insane.”
“They didn’t plan this very well,” her friend replies.
One man distributes yellow “Zohran for NYC” pins.
Some of the crowd starts to drift off after well over an hour waiting in line.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 1, 2026
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