Mamdani Backs Port Workers’ Strike Against Arms Shipments to War Zones

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed solidarity with dockworkers who staged strikes at 113 ports across 22 countries in support of Palestinians and in protest against the transportation of weapons for war.

Mamdani said the people of New York stood with the striking workers.

According to Al Jazeera, the strikes took place on Friday at 113 ports in 22 countries. One of the main objectives of the coordinated action was to disrupt maritime traffic carrying weapons intended for use in armed conflicts.

In a post on social media platform X, Mamdani wrote, “Workers at 113 ports across 22 countries went on strike in solidarity with the Palestinian people to disrupt the shipment of weapons of war. The people of New York stand with them.”

He added, “When working people come together in their collective power, we can build a better world. Dockworkers do not work for war.”

According to Reuters, the strikes disrupted cargo shipping operations and ferry services.

The workers also raised demands for better wages, improved working conditions and the right to have doctors aboard vessels passing through conflict-affected regions.

Speaking to Reuters at Greece's Port of Piraeus on Friday, Apostolos Kypriaios, head of the country's Merchant Marine Engineers' Union, said, “We will not work for their wars. We will not become cannon fodder either.”