Imagine a candidate for public office who openly rejects the very holidays that unite Americans, from Independence Day to Veterans Day, as symbols of oppression rather than celebration.

Aber Kawas, a 33-year-old Palestinian-American activist running for the 34th District Assembly seat in Queens, has ignited a firestorm with resurfaced comments from a decade ago that challenge the core of American values, the New York Post reported.

This Brooklyn-born contender, who recently moved to Queens, is now under scrutiny as her far-left views clash with mainstream patriotism.

Kawas, endorsed by NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), finds herself at the center of controversy over a 2015 online journal post and past remarks about 9/11, all while campaigning in a predominantly progressive district covering areas like Corona.

Back on September 7, 2015, coinciding with Labor Day, Kawas took to an online platform to lambast federal holidays as tools of suppression rather than triumphs of the people. She specifically targeted July 4th, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, Columbus Day, and even Labor Day itself as representing the “silencing & destruction” of movements she claims to champion.

Harsh Words for American Traditions

Quoting directly from her 2015 post, Kawas wrote, “Whether it is July 4th, Thanksgiving, Veterans, Columbus or now Labor Day, we enjoy days off that are supposed to be victories for people, when they truly represent the silencing & destruction of our movements.”

Let’s unpack that: dismissing holidays that commemorate independence and honor veterans as mere propaganda feels like a rejection of the very freedoms she’s able to exercise with such critiques. It’s a curious position for someone seeking to represent a diverse American community.

She didn’t stop there, doubling down by declaring, “Today I do not celebrate a day off, I only recommit myself to a global movement that fights against the death, displacement, and exploitation of people for capital.”

Political Backlash in Queens

The backlash has been swift, especially from conservative Queens Democrat Councilman Robert Holden, who didn’t mince words in his criticism. H

e warned against electing candidates who, in his view, harbor disdain for the nation and its foundational ideals. Holden’s frustration reflects a broader concern among some voters about the direction of far-left politics in local races.

Holden stated, “When Zohran Mamdani backs candidates like Aber Kawas who openly hate Labor Day, Veterans Day, and the American Dream, it’s a warning sign that we need to stop electing people who despise this country and everything it stands for.”

Adding fuel to the fire are Kawas’ past comments on 9/11, resurfaced recently after Mamdani’s reported support for her campaign became public. In a video shared by Australian activist Drew Pavlou, she tied the tragic event to broader systemic issues like capitalism and racism. These remarks have only intensified the scrutiny on her candidacy.

Controversial Views on Historical Events

Kawas’ take on 9/11 as part of a “long trajectory” of colonization and resource exploitation has stirred further debate about her perspective on American history.

The Assembly seat Kawas seeks is being vacated by Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who is moving on to challenge state Senator Jessica Ramos. Despite the far-left lean of the 34th District, Kawas isn’t guaranteed a win, facing competition from another DSA member in the upcoming Democratic primary.

Critics have called her holiday remarks a direct affront to principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, like liberty and equality.

While it’s true that America’s history isn’t flawless, dismissing national observances wholesale feels like throwing out the good with the bad. Shouldn’t a leader find ways to bridge divides rather than deepen them?