New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to ring in his inauguration with a public block party open to residents on January 1.
But alongside the celebration, the Democratic socialist has also released a lengthy list of items barred from the event, some expected, others raising eyebrows.
While weapons, explosives, and illegal substances are banned, the list also prohibits strollers, Flipper Zero devices and Raspberry Pis, two pieces of consumer technology that are legal and widely used.
The former is a small handheld gadget that can interact with wireless signals such as key fobs, RFID cards and Bluetooth devices, often described as a Swiss Army knife for hacking.
A Raspberry Pi, meanwhile, is a tiny, low-cost computer commonly used for coding, electronics projects and basic software.
Both devices feature programmable input-output pins that could, in theory, be connected to external components and misused to interfere with equipment or cause harm.
However, tech experts noted that explicitly banning these niche devices is unusual, especially given that laptops, which are far more powerful and versatile, are not restricted.
The ban list has since flooded social media, leaving many users stunned. One wrote: 'According to Zohran Mamdani, the following items all belong in the same category: Illegal substances, weapons, explosives and Raspberry Pi.'
Another added: 'The stroller is the most insane to me as it looks like he's anti-baby.'
Mamdani set up a website dedicated to the event, providing FAQs to help attendees.
One section, 'What should I wear and what should I bring,' lists the prohibited items.
Attendees are encouraged to check the weather forecast and dress warmly, with hats, scarves, gloves, and hand and toe warmers strongly recommended.
Small bags or backpacks containing personal items will be permitted, though all bags are subject to search, and large bags or backpacks are not allowed.
Guests may bring thermoses filled with warm, non-alcoholic beverages as well as snacks, and are urged to show respect for fellow New Yorkers.
The prohibited items list includes large bags and backpacks, weapons, fireworks or explosives, drones or other remote-controlled aerial devices, strollers, coolers, chairs, blankets, umbrellas, bicycles or scooters, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, pets other than service animals, large items that could obstruct spectators' views, laser pens, bats or batons, as well as Flipper Zero devices and Raspberry Pi computers.
One X user commented on the list, posting: 'The inauguration of Zohran Mamdani has banned… Raspberry Pis. Not a joke. For all of you who were hoping to bring your small, Linux-powered ARM computer to the New York City mayoral inauguration… Zohran says, "Not so fast! No Raspberry Pi for you!"'
Another shared: 'Going from the ban list, it's the lamest party ever. Why even bother?'
Mamdani is set to be officially sworn in as mayor at midnight on New Year's Eve in a small ceremony inside the old abandoned City Hall subway station.
The event will be attended by his family and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who will administer the oath of office.
The city Board of Elections reported that 735,317 ballots were cast during early voting, more than five times the turnout seen in 2021, with voters aged 55 and younger accounting for 56 percent of early ballots.
That was a notable shift from the opening days of early voting, which had been dominated by Gen X and Baby Boomer voters.
In the eyes of the Gen-Z population, Mamdani's promises have potential to go far, but for long-time New Yorkers, it all feels a bit too similar to the crime-ridden city they knew in the 1970s and 1980s.
He promised to freeze rent hikes for all stabilized tenants and triple the city's stock of publicly subsidized, permanently affordable, union-built, rent-stabilized homes.
He's also committed to building 200,000 new units over ten years at an estimated cost of $100 billion.
Mamdani, who has lived in NYC most of his life after moving there from Uganda with his family, has pledged to make city buses free to New Yorkers.
Similarly, residents are excited for the government-run grocery stores that Mamdani has promised would be 'focused on keeping prices low, not making a profit.'
Eliminating bus fares would strip billions in revenue and could degrade service quality, leaving more room for crime and chaos.
City-run supermarkets would rely on subsidies and undercut private grocers, echoing the inefficiency of other government-run services.
Additionally, taxpayers would foot the bill for a loss-making bureaucracy, not cheaper food.
Mamdani is also threatening to fund his lavish promises by imposing a two percent income tax increase on New Yorkers earning over $1 million annually.
He says he will also raise the top corporate rate from 7.25 to 11.5 percent.
Opponents predict a wealth exodus as a result.
High earners, who already account for half of the city's income tax revenue, would flee to low-tax states like Florida and Texas, collapsing the city's finances.
Companies would follow, triggering job losses and an economic tailspin that makes every promise unaffordable.
