Mayor Zorhan Mamdani defended his hosting of the divisive anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil at Gracie Mansion recently — saying he was simply standing up for First Amendment rights. "As the mayor of New York City, I believe it is my responsibility to fight for the safety and for the rights of each and every New Yorker," Hizzoner said Thursday. "[T]he only charge that was levied against him [Khalil] was the exercising of his First Amendment rights.