Just months after its high-profile launch, Our Time, the grassroots organization fervently supporting Mayor Mufaro Mamdani’s progressive policies, has seen its staff dwindle to a sole employee. Founded less than five months ago with ambitions to amplify voices advocating for tax reforms and social justice, the group’s rapid contraction underscores the challenges facing activist organizations navigating New York’s complex political terrain.
Our Time emerged amid heightened political energy in the city, especially following Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to aggressive wealth redistribution measures and community-focused reforms. The group quickly positioned itself as a key ally, organizing rallies and mobilizing residents, notably hosting a Tax the Rich demonstration in the Bronx this past March alongside the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Despite the early momentum and grassroots enthusiasm, sustaining operational capacity has proven difficult.
Sources close to the organization cite a combination of funding shortages, volunteer burnout, and the broader difficulties of maintaining an activist infrastructure in a city with numerous competing political causes. The transition to a single staffer signals a strategic recalibration, but also raises questions about the grassroots movement’s ability to maintain sustained pressure on City Hall.
Mayor Mamdani’s administration, which has prioritized bold initiatives around affordable housing, labor protections, and equitable taxation, continues to enjoy strong support among progressive circles. Yet the contraction of Our Time illuminates the gaps between political rhetoric and the realities of building enduring civic organizations in New York’s crowded advocacy ecosystem.
As the city heads toward the midterm elections, the future of grassroots groups like Our Time will be a bellwether for the staying power of the mayor’s reform agenda outside official channels. For now, this diminished presence serves as a reminder that in New York City, even the most promising political movements face steep hurdles in translating vision into lasting change.