New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently announced the appointment of Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari to his youth and education transition team, a move that has provoked a strong reaction from various quarters of the city. Shaakir-Ansari, the co-executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, has been a vocal activist with a history of controversial remarks, including public praise for Assata Shakur, a convicted murderer and an FBI-designated terrorist.
This appointment has raised concerns among law enforcement families and officials. Assata Shakur, born Joanne Deborah Chesimard, was convicted for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. After escaping from prison in 1979 with assistance from the Black Liberation Army, Shakur was granted asylum in Cuba, where she still resides.
The Alliance for Quality Education, previously associated with actress Cynthia Nixon, is known for its progressive stances on educational issues. Shaakir-Ansari, during an interview with Lingua Franca, had chosen Shakur as the woman she would most like to spend an afternoon with, citing her potential insights into advancing social movements.
Grace Machate, widow of slain NYPD Officer Robert Machate, and others have criticized Mamdani's decision as insensitive to the families of fallen officers and the broader law enforcement community. Former NYPD lieutenant and Marine Eric Dym characterized Shaakir-Ansari's selection as a deliberate action, undermining the sacrifices made by police officers.
John Macari, also a former NYPD lieutenant, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that while Shaakir-Ansari is entitled to her opinions, her views should not influence the shaping of educational policy in New York City.
Shaakir-Ansari's activism in education spans two decades, and she was recognized as one of Brooklyn's most influential figures in 2017. Apart from her activism, she has recently ventured into entrepreneurship with a fashion line and a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Mayor Mamdani, who has not condemned the Democratic Socialists of America's tribute to Shakur, remains focused on his mayoral agenda. His silence on the controversy has been noted by critics who argue that his administration might infuse extremist political perspectives into city schools, potentially alienating the police force and their families.
Retired NYPD sergeant and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Joe Giacolone, warned of a possible exodus from the police department, leading to a significant shift in its composition. He anticipates that many officers will seek to leave, with only those unable to do so remaining behind.
The decision by Mayor Mamdani has sparked a heated debate on social media, with the New York Post's tweet highlighting the controversy. New York families and law enforcement officials are concerned that the appointment signals a prioritization of radical politics over the safety and well-being of the city's police officers and their families.
