RootsAction, the first national organization to publicly support Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign, launched an online petition Tuesday strongly objecting to Mamdani's support for making Hakeem Jeffries leader of the House Democrats in the next Congress.
Jeffries, the petition reads, "has supported unpopular wars and militarism abroad, doggedly opposes Medicare for All at home, and often holds public opinion in contempt, including the views of vast majorities of Democrats. He backs corporatist candidates for Congress and refused to endorse you for Mayor until it was too late to defeat you.
"Dozens of the best Congress members will be working with one hand tied behind their backs if someone who opposes their agenda is their 'leader.'"
The petition questions why Mamdani has to take any position on the party’s congressional leadership: "All you need to say is: 'I'm not in Congress and I urge those who are to listen to the U.S. public.'"
The full text of the petition follows:
I'm very glad that so many of us supported you from around New York City and around the country.
Many candidates make very few promises, making it very hard to hold them accountable. You made many wonderful promises and have already kept some of them, gone some distance toward keeping others, and faced hurdles from corporations and the state government when it comes to others. You've worked hard to freeze rents, and to expand child care, tenants' rights, bus lanes, and all kinds of government services. We're thrilled.
Of course, we'll always demand more, which is our proper role as activists. And you'll always have to make compromises and choose priorities, which is your role.
But I'm writing to you now about something harmful you've done that very few wanted you to do and that you had no obligation to be involved with at all. While your election helped inspire primary victories by excellent candidates for the U.S. Congress, and the majority in each house of Congress may even switch, you've publicly announced your support for Hakeem Jeffries to be chosen by House Democrats as their leader.
Why? He has supported unpopular wars and militarism abroad, doggedly opposes Medicare for All at home, and often holds public opinion in contempt, including the views of vast majorities of Democrats. He backs corporatist candidates for Congress and refused to endorse you for Mayor until it was too late to defeat you.
Dozens of the best Congress members will be working with one hand tied behind their backs if someone who opposes their agenda is their "leader."
All you need to say is: "I'm not in Congress and I urge those who are to listen to the U.S. public."
Will you correct your position or publicly explain why you would advocate something so apparently harmful?
__________________
RootsAction is a nonpartisan organization working since 2011 to mobilize people to promote economic fairness, equal rights for all, civil liberties, environmental protection, and defunding endless wars.
Jeffries, the petition reads, "has supported unpopular wars and militarism abroad, doggedly opposes Medicare for All at home, and often holds public opinion in contempt, including the views of vast majorities of Democrats. He backs corporatist candidates for Congress and refused to endorse you for Mayor until it was too late to defeat you.
"Dozens of the best Congress members will be working with one hand tied behind their backs if someone who opposes their agenda is their 'leader.'"
The petition questions why Mamdani has to take any position on the party’s congressional leadership: "All you need to say is: 'I'm not in Congress and I urge those who are to listen to the U.S. public.'"
The full text of the petition follows:
I'm very glad that so many of us supported you from around New York City and around the country.
Many candidates make very few promises, making it very hard to hold them accountable. You made many wonderful promises and have already kept some of them, gone some distance toward keeping others, and faced hurdles from corporations and the state government when it comes to others. You've worked hard to freeze rents, and to expand child care, tenants' rights, bus lanes, and all kinds of government services. We're thrilled.
Of course, we'll always demand more, which is our proper role as activists. And you'll always have to make compromises and choose priorities, which is your role.
But I'm writing to you now about something harmful you've done that very few wanted you to do and that you had no obligation to be involved with at all. While your election helped inspire primary victories by excellent candidates for the U.S. Congress, and the majority in each house of Congress may even switch, you've publicly announced your support for Hakeem Jeffries to be chosen by House Democrats as their leader.
Why? He has supported unpopular wars and militarism abroad, doggedly opposes Medicare for All at home, and often holds public opinion in contempt, including the views of vast majorities of Democrats. He backs corporatist candidates for Congress and refused to endorse you for Mayor until it was too late to defeat you.
Dozens of the best Congress members will be working with one hand tied behind their backs if someone who opposes their agenda is their "leader."
All you need to say is: "I'm not in Congress and I urge those who are to listen to the U.S. public."
Will you correct your position or publicly explain why you would advocate something so apparently harmful?
__________________
RootsAction is a nonpartisan organization working since 2011 to mobilize people to promote economic fairness, equal rights for all, civil liberties, environmental protection, and defunding endless wars.
