A hard-left candidate’s past posts and comments on American holidays and 9/11 have ignited a heated debate in Queens about patriotism, representation, and what values a local lawmaker should defend.
Aber Kawas, a 33-year-old Palestinian-American activist, is running for the 34th District Assembly seat in Queens and her resurfaced remarks from a decade ago are drawing sharp criticism. Born in Brooklyn and recently moved to Queens, Kawas’ social media and writings from 2015 describe federal holidays as instruments of suppression rather than shared civic moments. Her past words are now being examined closely by voters and opponents as she seeks to represent a district that includes Corona and other progressive neighborhoods.
Kawas is backed by Zohran Mamdani and publicly associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, a detail that frames how many residents view her platform. That endorsement has made her comments a political story because it suggests a particular ideological bent for local leadership. For many conservatives and swing voters, support from high-profile progressive figures is a red flag about priorities and temperament.
In a 2015 online post, Kawas argued that national holidays don’t honor people as much as suppress movements, singling out several well-known observances. She wrote, “Whether it is July 4th, Thanksgiving, Veterans, Columbus or now Labor Day, we enjoy days off that are supposed to be victories for people, when they truly represent the silencing & destruction of our movements.” Those lines are being used by critics to argue she rejects the unifying rituals most Americans hold dear.
She followed that passage with another stark line about her personal stance on holidays and activism, which has become a central piece of the backlash. Kawas stated, “Today I do not celebrate a day off, I only recommit myself to a global movement that fights against the death, displacement, and exploitation of people for capital.” That language sits poorly with voters who expect their elected officials to respect traditions while pursuing reform.
Republican and conservative voices in Queens have not been quiet about the implications of that rhetoric. Conservative Queens Democrat Councilman Robert Holden has publicly denounced the sentiment, warning against electing people who appear to disdain national symbols and institutions. That criticism has resonated in some corners because elections are ultimately about who is trusted to represent the community’s values and safeguard shared civic norms.
Holden put the concern plainly, arguing endorsements of candidates like Kawas show a troubling shift in priorities for local politics. He said, “When Zohran Mamdani backs candidates like Aber Kawas who openly hate Labor Day, Veterans Day, and the American Dream, it’s a warning sign that we need to stop electing people who despise this country and everything it stands for.” That quote has become a rallying point for opponents who see the remarks as a rejection of mainstream American identity.
Beyond the holiday comments, Kawas’ past statements about 9/11 have resurfaced and intensified the debate around her candidacy. In material shared by activist Drew Pavlou, she connected the September 11 attacks to systemic problems like capitalism and colonial exploitation, framing the tragedy within broader critiques of global power. For many voters, tying a national trauma to ideological critiques crosses a line of empathy and respect for victims.
These controversies arrive as Kawas seeks a seat being vacated by Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who is moving on to a Senate challenge. The open Assembly position has attracted attention because the 34th District leans progressive, yet intra-left competition and backlash over statements like these can change dynamics in a primary. Kawas still faces at least one other Democratic Socialists of America-aligned opponent, making the primary contest uncertain despite the district’s political tilt.
Critics argue the issue is not only about one campaign post but about whether a candidate respects institutions that bind Americans together. They point to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as touchstones that demand a baseline of allegiance and reverence for civic rituals. To these voters, dismissing those observances wholesale sounds like discarding the nation’s promise rather than working to fix its flaws.
Supporters of Kawas might say her words are meant to provoke and to spotlight injustice, and some activists welcome that kind of unvarnished critique. Still, campaigning for public office typically requires a different tone—one that balances passionate advocacy with the ability to lead a diverse constituency. That balance is what many undecided voters will be watching for as the primary approaches.
The debate in Queens highlights a larger clash in American politics about how to honor tradition while pushing for change. Local elections often reflect national culture wars, and this race is no exception as neighbors weigh bold rhetoric against the practical needs of daily governance. Questions about patriotism, respect for veterans, and the tone of public discourse are central to how people decide who should represent them.
At the same time, voters should consider who can effectively deliver results for the district on transportation, housing, schools, and public safety. Words matter, especially from those who want to hold public power, but track record and policy proposals will also be scrutinized. The primary will sort how much weight residents give to outspoken commentary versus local governance experience.
What’s clear is that Kawas’ 2015 post and later comments have made this race a test of priorities for the 34th District. Endorsements and past writings are now part of how she is judged, and the scrutiny is likely to intensify as opponents use these quotes in debates and campaign messaging. Voters will decide which qualities they value most in their next Assembly member.
As the contest progresses, both supporters and detractors will push their narrative about what leadership in Queens should look like. The outcome will say as much about local sentiment as it does about the national currents that shape political identity today. For now, Kawas’ words remain a focal point of the conversation and a measure of how rhetoric plays in a diverse, changing district.
