New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has sparked a grassroots movement with his mayoral campaign, and it's now taking shape as a nonprofit organization called Our Time. With over 650 people signing up in just the first hour-long "mass call," the group aims to build momentum for Mamdani's policies, starting with universal child care. The new nonprofit plans to launch a series of door-knocking campaigns across the city to mobilize supporters and lobby for state lawmakers.
Our Time is modeled after previous mayoral initiatives that sparked controversy over fundraising practices. However, its organizers are taking steps to avoid similar pitfalls, including conducting their own fundraising and prioritizing transparency. The group's executive director, Jeremy Freeman, a former neuroscientist who worked on Mamdani's campaign, emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement in fulfilling the young mayor's ambitious agenda.
The group's efforts have been endorsed by high-profile figures, including Lina Khan, co-chair of Mamdani's transition committee. Khan highlighted the need for outside support to advance Mamdani's policies. Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, expressed cautious optimism about Our Time's initiative but emphasized her preference for direct government engagement.
As Our Time expands its reach, it aims to recruit 15,000 volunteers for a trip to Albany and push for rent freezes and free public transportation. The group's deputy executive director, Divya Sundaram, stressed the importance of organizing and field work in achieving these goals.
While some have raised concerns about pay-to-play dynamics, Our Time's organizers are working to maintain transparency and avoid similar controversies that marred previous initiatives. The new nonprofit's logo and branding evoke Mamdani's campaign aesthetic, blurring the line between the two organizations. Nevertheless, its efforts reflect a broader effort to harness grassroots energy and drive meaningful change in New York City.
Our Time is modeled after previous mayoral initiatives that sparked controversy over fundraising practices. However, its organizers are taking steps to avoid similar pitfalls, including conducting their own fundraising and prioritizing transparency. The group's executive director, Jeremy Freeman, a former neuroscientist who worked on Mamdani's campaign, emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement in fulfilling the young mayor's ambitious agenda.
The group's efforts have been endorsed by high-profile figures, including Lina Khan, co-chair of Mamdani's transition committee. Khan highlighted the need for outside support to advance Mamdani's policies. Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, expressed cautious optimism about Our Time's initiative but emphasized her preference for direct government engagement.
As Our Time expands its reach, it aims to recruit 15,000 volunteers for a trip to Albany and push for rent freezes and free public transportation. The group's deputy executive director, Divya Sundaram, stressed the importance of organizing and field work in achieving these goals.
While some have raised concerns about pay-to-play dynamics, Our Time's organizers are working to maintain transparency and avoid similar controversies that marred previous initiatives. The new nonprofit's logo and branding evoke Mamdani's campaign aesthetic, blurring the line between the two organizations. Nevertheless, its efforts reflect a broader effort to harness grassroots energy and drive meaningful change in New York City.
I'm loving this grassroots movement by Our Time! 
It's so refreshing to see people coming together for a cause they believe in, especially with universal child care on the agenda 
. I think it's awesome that they're taking steps to prioritize transparency and avoid the controversies of past initiatives 
. Lina Khan endorsing their efforts is huge too! 
With 650+ people signing up already, this movement has some serious momentum 
. Now, if only we could get our politicians to listen 
... Fingers crossed for these ambitious goals and a better future for NYC 
. I mean, who doesn't want affordable childcare? But what's got me thinking is that it's cool they're taking the grassroots approach and doing their own fundraising 
. It shows that Zohran Mamdani's team really wants to listen to people and make a difference.
... it's always good to have outside perspective.
. If they can make this happen, it could be game-changing for NYC. Fingers crossed for Our Time and their efforts 
!
. They're taking it straight from the people to the politicians, which is exactly what we need more of. I love that they're not just relying on big donors, but instead are doing their own fundraising and being super transparent about it 
. Jeremy Freeman's background as a neuroscientist is definitely gonna serve him well in this role 
. The fact that Lina Khan and Susan Lerner are backing them is a major win - those two are not afraid to speak truth to power 
. Now we just gotta get these 15,000 volunteers together and take on Albany 
! it's amazing to see zohran mamdani's team mobilizing people to make a real difference in nyc 
So I'm hearing from some sources that Our Time is actually getting some serious traction behind the scenes, people are super invested in Zohran's agenda and they're willing to put in the work. I mean, 650 people signing up in one hour is no joke, it's like a snowball effect 
! It's so cool how Jeremy Freeman, the executive director, is bringing together a team of passionate folks to make universal child care a reality 
.
. Rent freezes, free public transportation - it's like, the ultimate game-changer for NYC 
.