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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know DRUM Beats Condemns Xenophobic Attack On Assemblymember Mamdani By Councilmember Vickie Paladino D RUM Beats, a grassroots organization advocat- ing for the rights of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant communities, has strongly denounced recent remarks made by NewYork City Councilmember Vickie Pala- dino targeting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. The comments, which included calls for deporta- tion, were widely condemned as xenophobic and Islamophobic. The controversy arose from Paladino’s public reaction to a 2019 tweet by Mamdani, in which he reflected on his excitement to vote in a U.S. presidential election for the first time and support Senator Bernie Sanders. Paladino ques- tioned the legitimacy of Mamdani’s elected office, citing his relatively recent citizenship status and ac- cusing him of harboring radical anti-American views. “Councilmember Paladino’s comments about Zohran Mamdani reflect a long-standing pattern: elected officials using xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric to sig- nal who belongs in public life, and who doesn’t,” said Fahd Ahmed, Executive Director of DRUM Beats. DRUM Beats emphasized that these remarks are part of a broader, troubling narrative used by politicians across party lines to marginalize working-class immi- grant communities—particularly South Asian and Muslim Ameri- cans. The organization asserts that Paladino’s comments do not merely reflect personal prejudice but reveal systemic biases that undermine democratic inclusion. “Time and again, our communi- ties are treated as outsiders,” the or- ganization said in its official release. “Now, when someone from these communities rises into leadership, the response is still to call for their removal—not on merit, but on the grounds of identity.” The group framed the attack as a broader assault on inclusive politics, noting that campaigns like Mamdani’s represent a shift in political power toward communi- ties long excluded from decision- making. “This moment isn’t just about one person’s words; it’s about the politics that allow them to go un- checked,” Ahmed added. DRUM Beats, a grassroots orga- nization dedicated to empowering working-class South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, has issued a forceful condemnation of NewYork City Councilmember Vickie Paladino’s recent remarks targeting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. Paladino’s statements, which included a call for deporta- tion, were widely decried as xeno- phobic and Islamophobic. The controversy centers on Paladino’s reaction to a 2019 post fromMamdani on X.com (formerly Twitter), in which he expressed en- thusiasm about participating in his first U.S. presidential election and supporting Senator Bernie Sanders. Paladino criticized Mamdani for not having been a U.S. citizen for a full decade, characterizing him as a “radical leftist” and suggest- ing he “hates everything about the country.” DRUM Beats Executive Director Fahd Ahmed stated, “Councilmem- ber Paladino’s comments about Zohran Mamdani reflect a long- standing pattern: elected officials using xenophobic and Islamopho- bic rhetoric to signal who belongs in public life, and who doesn’t.” The organization emphasized that these remarks are not iso- lated but part of a larger pattern of exclusion that targets immigrant, Muslim, and South Asian commu- nities—particularly when they step into leadership roles. Adding to the chorus of criticism, Harpreet Singh Toor, a prominent community leader and former NYS Assembly candidate, remarked: “It is regrettable that an elected official of NYC Council, Vickie Pala- dino, would make statement like that. This shows the current mind- set from theWhite House all the way down to every corner of elected officials. If we really look deep, same thing also then applies to the current First Lady. The leadership is supposed to unite the public not to divide it. For their own hunger for power is shown here clearly.” DRUM Beats and other commu- nity voices stress that moments like this reveal why grassroots, commu- nity-rooted campaigns—like Mam- dani’s—are essential. Not because they eliminate attacks, but because they begin to shift the centers of power and define who truly belongs in public life. DRUM Beats reaffirmed its commitment to building political systems that reflect the voices and interests of working-class immi- grant communities. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:X Screenshot from X.com shows Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani campaigning for Bernie Sanders in 2019, engaging with voters as part of a movement rooted in working-class and immigrant communities. New Jersey State Assembly Recognizes Dr. Sumul Raval For Outstanding AAPI Heritage Month Contributions T he New Jersey State Legislature honored Dr. Sumul N. Raval during a formal ceremony at the State House as part of its Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month recognition. Dr. Raval, a neuro-oncologist based in New Jersey, was acknowledged for his professional contributions to medicine and his involvement in community and cultural initiatives. The recognition cited his role in establishing the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center, a facility that provides comprehensive care for patients with neurological can- cers. He has also participated in clinical trials related to glioblastoma and has been involved in research on emerging treatment approaches. In addition to his medical work, Dr. Raval has served in leadership roles within organizations such as the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), where he has supported efforts to increase di- versity in healthcare leadership and improve access to medical services for underserved communities. At the ceremony, Dr. Raval delivered brief remarks acknowledging the recognition and expressing ap- preciation to the broader AAPI community. The event was part of a series of activities held throughout May to highlight the contributions of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent across the state. Dr. Raval was recently nominated for India’s Pad- mashree Award, a civilian honor recognizing contribu- tions in various fields including medicine and litera- ture. The New Jersey State Legislature’s AAPI Heritage Month events aim to highlight the accomplishments of individuals across different sectors who reflect the diverse makeup of the state’s population. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:Dr.Sumul N.Raval U.S. Affairs News India Times (June 7, 2025 - June 13, 2025) June 13, 2025 9