Astoria in the Spotlight

In the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s recent  win, the French newspaper Le Monde published an in-depth feature exploring Astoria’s working-class roots and its evolving political identity. The article takes a close look at the neighborhood as a living example of how long-standing communities are responding to economic pressure, political change, and grassroots organizing.

A key voice in the piece comes from our own Richard Khuzami, President of Old Astoria Neighborhood Association (OANA), who offered his assessment of where the neighborhood stands today. Addressing common assumptions about Astoria’s political direction, Khuzami pushed back on the idea that the community is merely “moving toward” something new. As quoted in Le Monde:

“We are not trending toward an authoritarian force. We are at one.”

His observation underscores a central theme of the article: Astoria’s political character is not being imposed from the outside, but shaped internally by residents, workers, and local organizations responding to present-day realities.

The Le Monde feature highlights several defining aspects of the neighborhood:

• A Working-Class Core: Despite intense development and rising costs across New York City, Astoria remains deeply rooted in its working-class history, with strong community ties and a culture of mutual support.
• Political Engagement: The article examines the growing influence of democratic socialist politics in the area, particularly through the work and support of Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
• Local Voices Leading the Narrative: Perspectives from OANA emphasize that current political shifts reflect where the community already is—not where outsiders assume it is heading.

Adding what the article describes as a distinct “French touch,” Le Monde treats Astoria as a primary example of working-class New York, offering an outside view that still centers local experience and history. The international recognition speaks to the neighborhood’s unique role in demonstrating how traditional working-class communities can remain politically active, organized, and self-directed.

Read the full Le Monde article here: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2025/12/19/astoria-zohran-mamdani-s-working-class-new-york_6748657_117.html

You can also download the PDF here if you need access.