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In a move that has sparked both praise and criticism, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has appointed formerly incarcerated rapper and activist Mysonne Linen to his City Hall transition team as he prepares to take office on January 1.
The appointment, announced on November 26 through social media, places Linen on committees focused on public safety and criminal justice reform. Until Freedom, the New York-based social justice organization where Linen serves in a leadership role, shared the news on Instagram, describing it as “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.”
Linen, 49, brings a complicated background to his new role. In 1999, he was convicted of two armed robberies of taxi drivers that occurred in 1997 and 1998. According to court records and reporting from the New York Daily News, prosecutors claimed Linen was part of a group that robbed a cab driver named Joseph Exiri on June 8, 1997, striking him with a beer bottle. He was also accused of holding up another cab driver, Francisco Monsanto, at gunpoint on March 31, 1998, stealing cash and a ring. Both taxi drivers testified against Linen and identified him as one of the assailants.
While facing up to 25 years in prison, Linen ultimately served seven years. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, claiming he had been falsely accused. His defense argued that he had no motive to commit such crimes, as he was already earning money writing songs for prominent artists including Lil’ Kim and Mase, and his music was slated to appear on an album featuring LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip.
Since his release, Linen has transformed himself into a community activist, focusing on anti-violence initiatives and civic engagement. A Bronx native who was once signed to Def Jam Records, he has built a significant public presence through his work with Until Freedom, which describes itself as “the definitive non-profit organization for community activism, education, and rapid response to tragedies resulting from injustice.”
The appointment reflects Mamdani’s progressive platform and campaign promises to approach public safety and criminal justice from a different perspective than his predecessor, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams. Mamdani, who won November’s election on a decidedly progressive platform, has already signaled policy shifts, including a pledge to stop clearing homeless encampments when he takes office.
However, the selection has drawn significant backlash from critics who question the wisdom of appointing someone with a criminal record to help shape the city’s public safety policies. The group Jews Fight Back posted on social media platform X, calling the move “insane” and criticizing Mamdani for appointing “a convicted armed robber to help shape NYC’s crime and policing policy.”
Supporters of the appointment argue that Linen’s lived experience provides valuable perspective on criminal justice reform and rehabilitation. His appointment aligns with growing calls nationwide for greater involvement of formerly incarcerated individuals in policy discussions about criminal justice reform.
Linen himself appears focused on his new role, recently posting on Instagram, “We are building something different,” a phrase he has reportedly used in speeches to crisis-intervention groups.
The appointment is part of a broader transition effort as Mamdani assembles his team ahead of taking office. It signals the incoming mayor’s commitment to his campaign platform of criminal justice reform and progressive approaches to public safety, even as it generates controversy among some New York City residents and observers.
Neither Linen, Until Freedom, nor Mamdani’s office have issued additional comments about the appointment or the subsequent public reaction.
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7 Comments
While I understand the desire to include formerly incarcerated individuals in policymaking, the specifics of Linen’s violent criminal history give me pause. I hope Mamdani can strike the right balance between reform and public security.
This appointment seems to be a bold move by Mamdani to address systemic issues in the criminal justice system. However, I hope Linen’s role is scrutinized to ensure the public’s safety concerns are adequately addressed.
This is certainly a controversial appointment that raises questions about Mamdani’s priorities for public safety and criminal justice reform. While Linen’s past convictions are concerning, his activism and leadership experience could also provide valuable perspectives.
This appointment seems to signal a shift towards a more holistic approach to public safety that incorporates diverse perspectives. However, the details of Linen’s past crimes raise legitimate concerns that will need to be addressed.
It’s interesting to see a formerly incarcerated individual appointed to a high-profile transition team position. This could signal a willingness to include diverse voices and lived experiences in policymaking.
It’s commendable that Mamdani is willing to consider unconventional choices for his transition team. Linen’s background could provide valuable insights, but the public will need assurances that public safety remains the top priority.
This is certainly a bold and controversial move by Mamdani. While I appreciate the desire for reform, I hope the transition team can strike a careful balance between empowering marginalized voices and ensuring public safety.