'Let a thousand Zohrans bloom:' Leftists fly in to boost Saikat Chakrabarti as S.F.'s insurgent savior

"“We have to completely change the direction of leadership of the Democratic party. We need a Democratic party that knows how to fight to stop authoritarian rule,” said Chakrabarti."

"“We deserve a better party that will put your interests first,” he said. He likened Chakrabarti to Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who was elected mayor of New York City last year, and reappropriated a popular Maoist slogan: “We can let a thousand Zohrans bloom,” Piker said."

"At the rally, Piker's comments echoed Chakrabarti's. “We deserve a better party that will put your interests first,” he said. He likened Chakrabarti to Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who was elected mayor of New York City last year, and reappropriated a popular Maoist slogan: “We can let a thousand Zohrans bloom,” Piker said."

"On Thursday evening, Chakrabarti's “Change the Party” rally drew many hundreds of attendees who packed City Nights, a nightclub in SoMa, to the brim. Daddy Yankee's “Gasolina” blasted from the speakers while attendees waved “Fight Trump” and “Lower costs” signs in the air."

Saikat Chakrabarti runs as an outsider to San Francisco politics and has not been welcomed by the city’s political establishment. Instead of seeking approval from progressives and moderates, he brings other outsiders into his campaign. A “Change the Party” rally at City Nights in SoMa drew hundreds of attendees, with music and signs focused on fighting Trump and lowering costs. Jamaal Bowman and multiple House candidates from New York City, Los Angeles, and Denver attended. Chakrabarti called for changing Democratic leadership to stop authoritarian rule. Hasan Piker, a prominent left-wing Twitch commentator, was the most controversial draw and delivered remarks aligning with Chakrabarti’s message, including comparisons to Zohran Mamdani and a Maoist slogan.

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