Couch Convos: The Mamdani Effect

How did a grassroots political movement in New York City mobilize 95,000 volunteers to knock on one million doors, and what could we learn from it? Launching 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗼𝘀, a new monthly public series in Helsinki for engaging and thought-provoking conversations about timely currents in our world.

Nitin Sawhney, Melissa Plath and Matt Gardner discuss “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁” in this first Couch Convo hosted by Ditmar Hasanaj from Helsinki Left at Bar Tÿpo on November 4th, the eve of New York’s historic election of Zohran Mamdani.

We talk about 𝗭𝗼𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗶’s exciting campaign for mayor of New York City and the organizing model of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The campaign’s success has inspired activists worldwide as an example of large-scale, community-based mobilization. What made it possible, and what lessons can we apply to the Finnish and European left?

𝗡𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘆 is a visiting researcher at the Uniarts Research Institute. While teaching at MIT in Cambridge and The New School in New York City he researched tactical media activism and grassroots political movements like Occupy Wall Street. He has also co-directed documentary films in Gaza and Guatemala.

𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗵 is active in leftist political circles in Finland, a co-founder of Helsinki Left and Vice-Chair of her local labor union association. She’s originally from Montana, in the United States, where she first became interested in politics. She’s also active in the football supporter scene and is always interested in discussing the intersection sports and politics.

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗻𝗲𝗿 is a master’s student in Human Nutrition and Food-related Behavior. In his home state of Maryland in the U.S., he was active in Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore DSA, and the Bernie Sanders campaign for president. He is the 2026 chairperson of Helsinki Left.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗼𝘀 are monthly public events engaging thought-provoking conversations about timely currents in our world and how to strive for better inclusive futures in society. Each month, we invite interesting guests (writers, artists, journalists, economists, politicians, community organizers, and other public figures) or members of Helsinki Left for a moderated conversation on a relevant topic (30-40 mins), followed by open discussion with attendees in a relaxed after-work atmosphere.

Discussions are held in English on the first Tuesday* of every month. Participation is free, and there’s no need to register in advance.

HELSINKI LEFT is a chapter of the Left Alliance (Vasemmistoliitto), focused on organizing immigrants and English-speaking residents in Finland. *Follow Helsinki Left on social media for future sessions and updates: https://linktr.ee/HelsinkiLeft

FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1389163132559537