Mamdani’s newly appointed New York City chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, called on the public to donate to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) while accepting the organization’s “Defender of Truth” award.
During his remarks, Kassem warned of what he described as a “steady slide towards authoritarianism” in the United States. He asserted that “you cannot wait out a genocide,” urging immediate action rather than patience or restraint.
Kassem also praised senior CAIR figures and allied activists. He described Zhara Billoo as “a treasure and a gift,” and lauded Linda Sarsour as “a model for all of us,” highlighting her activism as an example to follow.
The comments were delivered in the context of Kassem’s acceptance of the award and reflect his broader political and ideological views, expressed while holding a senior legal role in New York City governance.