Mamdani's Transition Team Draws Scrutiny Over 'Anti-Car' and 'Abolitionist' Appointments

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's recent appointments to his transition advisory committees have ignited debate, particularly regarding his selections for transportation and public safety roles. Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, has been named to the Committee on Transportation, Climate, & Infrastructure, while Alex Vitale, a Brooklyn College sociology professor and author, will serve on the Committee on Community Safety. These choices have drawn sharp criticism for their perceived radical stances.

Ben Furnas, leading Transportation Alternatives, advocates for policies prioritizing pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. His organization's agenda includes "universal daylighting" to repurpose parking spots near intersections for safety, creating "school streets" by closing them to traffic, and expanding busways across major city routes. Critics, including City Council Member Robert Holden, have characterized these proposals as a "war on drivers," suggesting they could lead to a "disaster for public safety, quality of life and basic common sense," according to the New York Post. Furnas, however, defends these measures, stating, "When it’s easier and cheaper for more New Yorkers to get around by bus or bike, the reduction in traffic will make it quicker and safer for everyone who still has to drive."

The appointment of Alex Vitale to the public safety committee has sparked even more intense controversy. Vitale is widely known as a police abolitionist, having authored "The End of Policing," a book whose second chapter is titled "The Police Are Not Here to Protect You." His core argument is that "the problem is policing itself," advocating for a significant reduction in policing and a shift towards social services for public safety issues. This selection has fueled concerns that Mamdani, despite walking back past "defund the police" statements during his campaign, may still pursue policies that significantly alter the city's approach to law enforcement.

The appointments are part of Mamdani's broader initiative to form 17 transition advisory committees comprising over 400 individuals to guide his incoming administration. Observers note that these selections, particularly Vitale's, have reignited discussions about the Mayor-elect's commitment to progressive ideals and their potential impact on New York City's future policies. The contrasting views of these appointees with traditional approaches to urban planning and law enforcement suggest a potentially transformative, albeit contentious, direction for the new administration.