New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is committed to working with the new New York City administration led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, but he made it clear he will continue to hold the government accountable.

Williams made the comments during his inauguration ceremony at City Hall on January 1, where he was sworn in alongside Mamdani and Comptroller Mark Levine.

He was sworn in by a group of immigrant New Yorkers, including Amadou Ly, an immigration advocate; the Perez Alnaude family, a family of five seeking asylum whom the public advocate recently supported at an immigration check-in; and Aissatou Diallo, a longtime New York resident who was recently detained by federal agents and whom Williams joined in federal court.

In his inaugural address, Williams said their stories reflected the challenges, contradictions and possibilities facing New York City.

Williams, the son of immigrants from Grenada, noted that he was sworn in on his late father’s Bible and that his mother was present at the ceremony.

Williams highlighted the tough landscape that New York is facing, including tensions between the local and federal governments and the gap between rich and poor.

“This is a city of enormous wealth and enduring poverty. Of the greed of some, and the generosity of many. Of darkness and of light. I’ve seen the darkness, of course, yet I look out on New York today and I see so much light. These contradictions mean we can at once love our city as it is and challenge its flaws – not as a reason for pessimism, but a call for activism,” he said.

As Public Advocate, Williams will be responsible for monitoring city agencies, investigating complaints from residents, proposing legislation, and serving as a direct voice for constituents on issues ranging from housing and education to public safety and social services.

Williams said he intends to use the office to both collaborate with city leaders and hold them accountable.

Describing himself as an “activist-elected official,” Williams said he intends to support the administration where possible while pushing back when necessary.

Williams also rejected what he described as efforts to divide New Yorkers by race, immigration status, gender identity or economic position, arguing that systemic inequality, rather than marginalised communities, is responsible for persistent hardship.

He referenced former Mayor David Dinkins’ description of New York as a “great mosaic” and said the city’s diversity remains its strength.

“New York, we are a shining beacon of possibility,” Williams said.

Williams acknowledged the challenges of governing and said progress would require courage, accountability and collective action.

He urged New Yorkers to remain connected and committed to one another as the city moves forward.

“As we head into a new year, a new term, I want to ask all of you to take an oath with me. Our neighbours in Brazil adopted a motto that I’ve tried to embody – that ‘No One Let Go of Anyone’s Hand.’ Because if we’re all connected, we can’t lose anyone,” he said.