The incoming mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has already sparked concern among voters with his recent appointment to the City Hall transition team.
As reported by Fox News, Mamdani has chosen Mysonne Linen, a 49-year-old rapper and activist with a criminal past, to contribute to shaping the city's public safety and criminal justice policies.
According to Gateway Pundit, Linen's criminal record includes convictions for two violent robberies of taxi drivers in the late 1990s. Court documents reveal that in June 1997, Linen and his accomplices attacked cab driver Joseph Exiri, striking him with a beer bottle.
In March 1998, Linen was involved in another robbery, holding cabbie Francisco Monsanto at gunpoint and stealing cash and a ring. Both victims later identified Linen as one of the perpetrators. Despite facing a potential 25-year sentence, Linen served seven years in prison. His defense at the time argued that he had no motive for the crimes, as he was engaged in songwriting for artists like Lil Kim and Mase.
The announcement of Linen's appointment was not made through official City Hall channels but rather through an Instagram post by Until Freedom, a social justice organization where Linen holds a leadership position. The post stated, "We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdanis transition team on committees for public safety and criminal justice respectively.
This is a testament to our decades of work advocating on behalf of Black and Brown communities and our expertise in gun violence prevention, legislative advocacy and criminal justice reform. We are building something different."
Linen, who has consistently denied involvement in the robberies, has since rebranded himself as a community activist. After his release from prison, he volunteered as a "violence interrupter" and founded Rising Kings, a non-profit organization that offers educational programs to inmates at Rikers Island. Additionally, Linen co-founded Until Freedom with Linda Sarsour, an anti-Israel activist and adviser to Mamdani.
The decision to include Linen on the 20-member "Committee on the Criminal Legal System" has drawn criticism. Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, expressed his disapproval, stating, "It is both disheartening and deeply disturbing that individuals who are convicted felons and have a history of breaking the law are being given the opportunity to help shape the future of New Yorks criminal justice system."
Boscio further lamented that law enforcement professionals, who risk their lives daily, have been excluded from the process.
This development raises questions about the direction of New York City's criminal justice policies under Mamdani's leadership. With a convicted felon now advising on public safety, concerns about the implications for law enforcement and community safety are likely to persist.
As the city navigates this new chapter, the balance between reform and maintaining public order remains a pressing issue.
Login