New York State Assemblyman Zohran Kwame Mamdani became the target of a horrifying campaign of racist death threats, a direct response to his outspoken political stance on the conflict in Gaza. The disturbing messages, filled with explicit racist language and violent intent, were traced to 34-year-old Jeremy Fistel.
The threats began flooding Mamdani's official voicemail in late October, shortly after the Democratic Socialist assemblyman publicly criticised Israeli military actions. The messages quickly escalated from political disagreement to deeply personal and racist attacks, including specific death threats.
A Chilling Voicemail Campaign
The content of the voicemails was described as profoundly disturbing. One message allegedly stated, "You are a dead man walking... I will put a bullet in your head", while others deployed racial slurs and made derogatory comments about Mamdani's Ugandan and South Asian heritage.
This was not an isolated incident. Mamdani, who represents parts of Queens, revealed that his office had received over 50 threatening calls in a single day, creating an atmosphere of fear for both the politician and his staff.
The Investigation and Arrest
Authorities, including the New York Police Department's Intelligence Division and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, launched a swift investigation. The threats were traced to Jeremy Fistel, who was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated harassment.
Fistel, who reportedly has a history of making inflammatory online comments, was released without bail following his arraignment. The case has sparked a significant conversation about the safety of public officials, particularly those of colour who hold contentious political views.
Broader Implications for Political Discourse
Mamdani's experience is seen as part of a worrying trend where political disagreement morphs into targeted harassment and violent threats. The assemblyman connected the threats directly to his advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza and his criticism of US foreign policy in the region.
In a powerful statement, Mamdani framed the incident not just as a personal attack, but as a symptom of a larger problem: "This is what happens when you have a foreign policy that dehumanises people abroad—it enables the dehumanisation of people at home." The case continues to develop as it moves through the legal system.
