Zellnor Myrie: Public Appearances and Media
Zellnor Myrie's public profile has grown through legislative achievements, protest activism, media interviews, editorial writing, and a 2025 mayoral campaign that required him to build name recognition beyond his Central Brooklyn district. His media presence spans local New York outlets, national cable news, public radio, and opinion pages.
Major Media Appearances
Myrie has been a regular guest on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show, one of New York's most prominent public affairs programs. He appeared to discuss the Clean Slate Act after its signing in December 2023, and he returned to the program during his 2025 mayoral campaign to discuss his platform and the legislative term in Albany .
In February 2025, Myrie and Congressman Dan Goldman appeared together on MSNBC's Morning Joe to announce Goldman's endorsement of Myrie's mayoral bid . Goldman described Myrie as a true visionary on the program, and the two discussed the need for a mayor who would stand up to the Trump administration .
Myrie's pepper-spraying during the May 2020 George Floyd protest generated national media coverage. He shared photographs and accounts of the incident on social media, and the story was covered by outlets including the New York Daily News, Gothamist, Essence, ABC7, and the Daily Caller . His emotional testimony at a June 2022 NYPD administrative hearing, during which he removed his glasses to wipe his eyes while watching body camera footage of the incident, was widely reported .
Op-Eds and Published Writing
Myrie has authored or co-authored multiple opinion pieces in major New York outlets. He co-wrote an op-ed with Assembly Member Catalina Cruz for amNewYork in March 2022 arguing for the immediate passage of the Clean Slate Act, framing it as an economic necessity for New York's recovery . He co-authored a piece with Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for New York City for amNewYork in November 2024, timed to the law's effective date, making the case that the Clean Slate Act would boost public safety and economic participation .
He wrote an op-ed for Crain's New York Business with Monica Nation of FWD.us in February 2022, arguing that Clean Slate legislation could reduce recidivism and drive inclusive economic recovery . He contributed a similar piece to the Times Union with Assembly Member Cruz in December 2022 .
For the Empire Report in October 2024, Myrie authored a piece on the continuing work needed on voting rights in New York, connecting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to broader threats to democratic participation during the 2024 election season .
Legislative Hearings and Public Testimony
As chair of the Senate Elections Committee, Myrie presided over a series of voter-focused hearings held across New York State in 2021, gathering public input on improving election administration and protecting voting rights 11. The hearings resulted in a landmark report containing over 50 recommendations for reform 12.
Myrie testified at an NYPD administrative hearing in June 2022 as a witness in the disciplinary case against Officer Michael Kovalik . His testimony, during which he described the ongoing emotional and mental trauma from being pepper-sprayed at the 2020 protest, drew significant coverage .
He also participated in panels and public hearings related to SUNY Downstate, including a March 2024 public event organized by the United University Professions union, where he described the proposed hospital closure as deeply personal and shared his own connection to the facility as a patient .
Campaign Trail Appearances
During the 2025 mayoral race, Myrie participated in multiple candidate forums and community events across the five boroughs. He appeared at a Housing Justice For All Mayoral Forum in December 2024, shortly after officially launching his campaign . He attended events in neighborhoods outside his district, including a February 2025 press conference near City Hall with Dan Goldman and a March 2024 address at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, one of the most influential Black Baptist churches in the country .
Myrie's campaign also included appearances at forums organized by local media and civic organizations. He engaged in debates focused on housing, education, and public safety, though Mayor Eric Adams declined to participate in many of these events during the primary season .
Social Media Presence
Myrie maintains active accounts on Twitter (posting as @zellnor4ny), Instagram, and LinkedIn . His most viral social media moment was the photograph of himself being pepper-sprayed at the Barclays Center protest, which he posted to Twitter in May 2020 with the single-word caption referencing his pain . The image circulated widely and became one of the most recognizable photographs of elected officials at the 2020 protests.
He has used LinkedIn to communicate about constituent services, hiring in his Brooklyn office, and community events such as back-to-school supply drives .
Recognition and Awards
Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action jointly named Myrie Gun Sense Lawmaker of the Year in 2021 for his work on the gun industry liability law . New Yorkers Against Gun Violence awarded him its Founders' Award 23. The New York Times described the 2019 legislative session that Myrie was part of as a heartening display of public service 24.
Commencement and Community Events
Myrie has attended community events across Central Brooklyn in his role as state senator, including the Medgar Evers College commencement ceremony in 2026, where he joined other elected officials in celebrating graduates . He has participated in immigration rights events, including a March 2025 Know Your Rights webinar organized by the Metropolitan Black Bar Association focused on immigration enforcement .