Community activists have launched a “DSA: Tell the Truth” campaign aimed at what they describe as hypocrisy within the Democratic Socialists of America, following The Post’s report questioning co-chair Gustavo Gordillo’s working-class image.
New York City public-housing residents and clergy members gathered in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Monday to criticize the DSA, branding it the “double standards of America.” Demonstrators also renewed demands that Gordillo resign, accusing him of presenting himself as the child of a working-class immigrant family despite what they say is a more privileged upbringing.
Gordillo, 38, is the son of a Miami millionaire who purchased him a $1.5 million townhouse, according to The Post.
“This is the launch,” civil rights leader Rev. Kevin McCall said during Monday’s rally. “This is the launch of more to come. Gustavo is not off the hook. DSA is not off the hook. We’re going to be in front of your houses. We’re going to be in front of your meetings to tell them that Gustavo got to go.”
“This is not about doxing anybody,” McCall added. “We don’t want liars.”
The Democratic Socialists of America has drawn increased attention since Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a member of the left-wing organization, became the first socialist to take up residence at Gracie Mansion.
Gordillo, a Yale graduate, received a Brooklyn townhouse from his wealthy father, who also allegedly covered $1.4 million in renovation costs. His father, Gustavo E. Gordillo, founded and serves as CEO of DraftPros, a telecommunications company valued at $90 million whose clients include AT&T and Verizon.
Despite that background, critics say the DSA co-chair has cultivated a blue-collar identity while advocating for a $95,000 salary for himself and fellow co-chair Grace Mausser, arguing that the organization’s socialist agenda requires full-time work.
Gordillo had described himself as having been raised by struggling Peruvian immigrants, saying his mother cleaned homes and his father worked flipping burgers at Wendy’s.
That portrayal came under scrutiny after reports surfaced detailing his family’s wealth and financial support.
Organizers of “DSA: Tell the Truth” accused the socialist party of hypocrisy, and said the group can’t credibly claim to be champions of public housing tenants, working-class residents or people of color.
“We want to make sure that Gustavo will not put us in the back of the bus by excluding black and brown people from policymaking,” McCall said. “When you’re talking about NYCHA residents, there are over 500,000 residents who live in New York City Housing Authority that the DSA have no regard for.
“There are black people, Latino people, Hispanic people that the DSA don’t have regard for,” he said. “He must resign. He must resign. He must resign.”
Gordillo did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy