“No Sharia Law, No Mamdani!” – MAGA Protest Collides with CUNY Defense Rally “Hands Off CUNY!” at NYC City Hall

July 14, 2025 MANHATTAN, New York – Two separate demonstrations took place Monday afternoon outside City Hall, drawing crowds with opposing political messages in a tense and vocal atmosphere.

At 12:30 p.m., faculty unions, students, and elected officials gathered in City Hall Park for a press conference titled “Hands Off Higher Ed! Hands Off CUNY!” Organized by the Professional Staff Congress (PSC CUNY), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the event was held in response to a Republican-led Congressional hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Speakers condemned what they described as federal overreach into public university governance and attacks on academic freedom, particularly at institutions like CUNY and UC Berkeley.

Union leaders and NYC officials, including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, State Senator Jabari Brisport, and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, addressed the crowd. They warned that the hearings represent a broader effort to suppress free speech and weaponize antisemitism claims for political purposes.

Roughly one hour later, at 1:30 p.m., a second rally convened on the steps of City Hall. Organized under the banner “New Yorkers Say No to Communism,” the protest featured chants of “No Sharia Law” and “No Mamdani,” referring to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The demonstrators held American, Israeli, and Puerto Rican flags, along with Trump banners. Signs and flyers circulated at the protest explicitly denounced socialism, communism, and Sharia law.

The event was promoted by TLC driver advocate Raul Rivera and drew supporters from various community groups. Protesters voiced opposition to progressive candidates and policies, accusing them of threatening American values.