NEW YORK, Sun, 31 Aug 2025 – One week after Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani hosted a citywide scavenger hunt that drew thousands of participants across New York City’s boroughs, the event continues to generate buzz—and backlash—as the progressive challenger positions himself against embattled incumbent Eric Adams in the November general election.
The #ZcavengerHunt, held on August 24, saw an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 New Yorkers scrambling through landmarks and neighborhoods, following clues released via social media that highlighted quirky NYC history—such as the fact that Hugh Grant was the city’s youngest mayor or that Fiorello LaGuardia was nicknamed “Little Flower.”
Participants, many young and enthusiastic, navigated locations like South Ferry Terminal in Manhattan, Daniel Inouye Building, James J. Walker Park in the West Village, and Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island, before converging at the final stop: Little Flower Cafe in Astoria, Queens.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Queens assemblymember and self-described Democratic Socialist of Ugandan-Indian descent, framed the free event as an innovative way to engage voters and foster community spirit.
“Thousands of New Yorkers tried something new… It was free, earnest, even educational,” he posted on X, sharing a video montage of crowds rushing on buses, checking phones for clues, and celebrating at the finish line.
The prize? A cup of chai and a selfie with the candidate himself, a nod to his South Asian heritage that delighted some but drew mockery from critics.
Supporters hailed the hunt as a fresh, joyful alternative to traditional campaigning, boosting volunteer turnout for Mamdani’s platform of rent freezes, free bus service, and universal childcare.
In the week following, his campaign reported knocking on over 91,000 doors citywide, including 25,000 over the weekend.
“This is authentic love for NYC,” one X user commented, contrasting it with Adams’ more conventional style.
Progressive outlets like Money on the Left described it as a “rehearsal” for communal activism, linking it to broader left-wing praxis.
Yet the event has ignited controversy, particularly over its endpoint at Little Flower Cafe, a venue known for pro-Palestine activism, including fundraisers and displaying the Palestinian flag.
Critics, including Jewish advocacy accounts on X, accused Mamdani of snubbing Astoria’s renowned Greek heritage—home to one of the largest Greek communities outside Greece—in favor of a politically charged spot.
“An incredible opportunity to celebrate what Astoria is truly known for… Instead, he went for a Free Palestine connection,” one post read, amid a 40% spike in antisemitic incidents in NYC since October 2023 tied to Israel-Hamas conflict protests.
Conservative voices piled on, dismissing the hunt as “lame” and “cringe,” with outlets like Twitchy labeling it a “bust your butt for crummy selfie prize” and mocking Mamdani’s policies as leading to “bread lines.”
Adams, facing federal probes into bribery and campaign finance violations with approval ratings below 30%, reportedly scoffed at the spectacle, calling participants those with “nothing better to do” and telling his own supporters, “You’re the real treasure.”
X replies ranged from calls to “deport Mamdani to Uganda” to accusations of him being a “terrorist,” reflecting the polarized discourse around his pro-Palestine stance and DSA affiliations
Mamdani, the first South Asian Muslim in the New York State Assembly, secured the Democratic nomination in June 2025, raising over $1 million in a month—half from out-of-state donors—and positioning himself as the frontrunner in a race shadowed by Adams’ scandals.
Analysts note his unconventional tactics, like the hunt, aim to mobilize youth and progressives, contrasting Adams’ retail politics amid ties to Turkish officials.