During a rally for Zohran Mamdani, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a speech characterized by a heightened vocal delivery, with observers noting instances of raised volume and shifts in accent. In her address, AOC emphasized the diverse origins of New York City’s population, stating, “This city was built by the Irish escaping famine, Italians fleeing fascism, Jews escaping the Holocaust… Black Americans fleeing slavery and Jim Crow. Latinooos seeking a better life, Native peoples standing for themselves, Asian Americans coming together in Queens, in Brooklyn, in the Bronx, in Manhattan, in Staten Island, in this country, in a vision to build the freest, toughest, and greatest city on earth.”
The congresswoman’s remarks touch upon the historical waves of immigration and migration that have shaped New York City. According to recent data from the New York City Department of City Planning, the city remains a major destination for immigrants, with approximately 36% of its population being foreign-born. The historical context of AOC’s speech highlights the struggles and aspirations of various communities who sought refuge and opportunity in the United States, contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural and economic landscape.