Mamdani heads to 9/11 memorial despite 110,000-signature push from victims’ families to stay away
NYC Mayor Mam Madin i Attending 9/11 Memorial Despite Petition to Stay Home
New York City is preparing for the 25th‑anniversary remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to attend the ceremony at Ground Zero despite a petition from 9/11 families that has drawn roughly 110,000 signatures asking the mayor to skip the event.
The memorial, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, is an invitation‑only gathering hosted by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and will feature a handful of dignitaries, including Vice President J.D. Vance and former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Victim families and first‑responder groups will also be present for the day’s tributes.
The Petition and Its Rationale
Relatives of those who died in the attacks launched the petition in response to Mayor Mamdani’s recent appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief legal counsel. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al‑Darbi, an Al‑Qaeda operative who pleaded guilty to war‑crime charges. The petition, which reads, “For 9/11 families, this is not simply a public ceremony—it is a deeply personal day of mourning. The presence of individuals whose words or associations are perceived as conflicting with the solemn purpose of the event risks detracting from that focus and causing additional pain,” calls for the mayor to stay home. The petition’s language also stresses that the anniversary should remain “centered on remembrance, unity, and an unambiguous rejection of the violence and extremism that defined that day.”
The petition has gained traction on social media and on the nonprofit group’s website, where it has collected more than 110,000 signatures since it opened. Victim families say that any presence at the event that could be seen as sympathetic to extremist causes would add to their grief.
Mamdani’s Decision and His Defense
Mayor Mamdani confirmed that he will be in attendance, saying he is “proud to be the mayor of this city. I love this city. I love this country. And what I want this week to be a focus on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of September 11th, and a focus also on the first responders who gave everything they could to this city and to the people who came together to try and help their fellow New Yorkers.”
Mamdani’s statement comes after a controversial exchange the previous week in which he handed a ceremonial pen—used to sign 9/11‑related executive orders—to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and asked her to hand it to Kassem. Critics on social media described the act as a “slap in the face” to families still mourning their losses.
Political Backlash
The petition and the pen incident have attracted a chorus of criticism from former New York officials and politicians. Former Governor George Pataki and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both Republicans who were in office during the attacks, called the mayor’s attendance “offensive.” Giuliani, who has been close to many families, said, “Having lost friends there and being very close to many of the families, it offends me that he’s coming.”
In addition to the Kassem connection, Mamdani has faced scrutiny over past statements that have been labeled problematic by many 9/11 families. He had previously failed to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” praised a co‑conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and endorsed political candidates who made controversial comments about the attacks. He also maintains an association with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has made inflammatory remarks about 9/11. Mamdani later labeled Piker’s comments “objectionable and reprehensible” but did not disavow the streamer. He has said he would “discourage” people from using the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
The Memorial Event
The Ground Zero ceremony will feature a private memorial for victims and their families, along with speeches by officials and a moment of silence. The event is designed to honor those lost and to celebrate the resilience of New York City. It is expected that the presence of former presidents and other high‑profile guests will draw national attention, reinforcing the city’s continued commitment to remembering the attacks and promoting unity.
Reactions from Families
Many families remain skeptical of the mayor’s presence. In the petition, they emphasize that the day is “deeply personal” and that a “hostile record” or associations with extremist individuals should not be part of the remembrance. Some families have also expressed frustration that the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment when reached by reporters last week.
Looking Ahead
The controversy surrounding Mayor Mamdani’s attendance highlights the continuing sensitivity of the 9/11 anniversary for many New Yorkers. While the city’s leadership stands by the mayor’s decision to honor the victims and first responders, a sizable portion of the 9/11 community remains uneasy about the symbolism of the mayor’s appointments and associations. As the city prepares for the ceremony, both sides of the debate will likely continue to voice their concerns, underscoring the complex legacy of the attacks and the ongoing need to balance remembrance with public policy.
