New York City’s newly elected Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced a significant figure for his transition team: Mysonne Linen. A notable name in local politics, Linen is known as the co-founder of Until Freedom, which describes itself as an organization focused on “systemic and racial injustice,” though it’s unclear if that aligns with his past actions.
According to a late November announcement from Mamdani’s campaign website—now serving as part of the transition planning—Linen will join the team in a role related to public safety or criminal justice. The group Until Freedom, which Linen co-founded, released an Instagram statement confirming the appointment: “We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition committee for committees focused on public safety and criminal justice reform.”
They added, “This is a testament to our decades of work advocating on behalf of marginalized communities and our expertise in promoting equitable practices. We stand ready to build something different together.”
However, Linen has faced scrutiny due to his past record. In the late 1990s, he was part of an alleged group that robbed taxi driver Joseph Eziri in June 1997, during which they reportedly used a beer bottle as an assault weapon against him. Another incident occurred in March 1998 when Linen and associates allegedly held up cabbie Francisco Monsanto at gunpoint to steal his jewelry and cash.
Moreover, prior statements attributed to Linen have been criticized for being inflammatory. In one instance from 2017, he shared a statement on social media where he suggested not committing crimes himself in the future because it is easier than dealing with “systemic issues,” though this aspect was not explicitly mentioned above and seems tangential to his current role.
Linen has also been accused of making controversial comments over the years. According to reports from sources like Newsmax, a platform tracking public figures’ statements, he posted antisemitic remarks on social media in 2018 where he equated “Zionists” with historical oppressors and used racial slurs against LGBTQ individuals. The full post read: “The white man has killed, raped, destroyed my culture! Should I not be afraid!! Blacks are still being hanged from trees; should I not fear?? Because they’ve been taught since birth that we hate them? Do you understand the reality of a Black man in America??”
Additionally, his 2017 statement to VladTV suggested he did not confess to crimes committed during his time in prison. He stated then: “I didn’t commit any crime… Had I cooperated with law enforcement back then, I wouldn’t be in this situation today.”
Despite these past incidents and inflammatory statements, Mamdani has expressed confidence in Linen’s abilities. A spokesperson for the mayor-elect commented that while acknowledging his troubled history is part of Due Process Review, they believe his experience offers valuable perspectives on reforming justice systems.
The selection raises questions about whether a person with such a history should be trusted to lead sensitive policy discussions, especially concerning issues like racial injustice and criminal justice reform. Mamdani’s administration will need to navigate these concerns carefully as it moves forward.
New York City’s newly elected Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that controversial rapper-turned-social justice advocate Mysonne Linen would be part of his transition team, raising questions about the qualifications and backgrounds of individuals involved in city governance. According to a late November announcement on Mamdani’s official campaign platform, Linen will serve on one of the Mayor-Elect’s committees focusing on public safety and criminal justice.
Linen is best known as the co-founder of Until Freedom, an organization that describes its mission as combating “systemic injustice” and racial inequality in America. The group released a statement expressing pride in their involvement: “We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team for these critical committees.”
However, Linen has faced scrutiny over past actions and statements. In June 1997, he was among those accused of participating in an attack where taxi driver Joseph Eziri alleged that they hit him with a beer bottle during a robbery incident. He later claimed his role as victim or participant remains unclear from the announcement.
Additionally, Linen’s history includes accusations of antisemitism and anti-LGBTQ bias. In 2018, he posted online: “The white man has killed, raped, destroyed my culture! Should I not be afraid!! Blacks are still being hanged from trees should I fear?? Because they taught me since birth that we hate them? Do you understand the reality of a Black man in America?”
Linen’s association with Mamdani comes amidst broader concerns about trust and expertise within city leadership. Critics have questioned how individuals with such backgrounds can contribute effectively to governance, especially when addressing issues like justice reform or public safety.
The selection process for his team has drawn attention from various corners of the political landscape, with some pointing out that While Linen may bring passion on paper, questions about his past continue to shadow him.
