A far-left Queens Assembly candidate supported by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has drawn controversy for past statements dismissing American holidays such as Veterans Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
Aber Kawas, a 33-year-old Palestinian-American activist and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, wrote in a 2015 online journal:
“Whether it is July 4th, Thanksgiving, Veterans, Columbus or now Labor Day, we enjoy days off that are supposed to be victories for people, when they truly represent the silencing & destruction of our movements.”
Kawas added that she does not celebrate these holidays, instead recommitting herself “to a global movement that fights against the death, displacement, and exploitation of people for capital.” She emphasized that dignity, justice, and equality are the true victories, not public holidays.
Critics say Kawas’s statements contradict core American principles such as equality and liberty. Councilman Robert Holden, a conservative Democrat from Queens, said:
“When Zohran Mamdani backs candidates like Aber Kawas who openly hate Labor Day, Veterans Day, and the American Dream, it’s a warning sign that we need to stop electing people who despise this country and everything it stands for. Socialism has failed everywhere, and it’s flat-out un-American.”
Kawas is running for the 34th District Assembly seat, representing parts of Corona and other areas of Queens. The seat is being vacated by Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who is challenging State Senator Jessica Ramos.
Despite Mamdani’s endorsement, Kawas faces a competitive Democratic primary. Gonzalez-Rojas has endorsed her chief of staff, Brian Romero, while the Democratic Socialists of America’s Electoral Working Group has recommended supporting Kawas.
Kawas, a former intern for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has been involved with the organization and other activism for over a decade. She recently came under scrutiny for comments about 9/11 resurfacing on social media, where she criticized the lack of accountability for historical atrocities like slavery and genocide.
Representatives for Mamdani and Kawas did not respond to requests for comment.
