Topline
An online petition calling for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s exclusion from the 9/11 remembrance ceremony later this week has crossed 100,000 signatures amid a similar push made by several prominent Republican leaders from the state, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Gov. George Pataki.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a Department Of Correction’s Tribute To 9/11 Heroes ceremony at Riker’s Island.
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Key Facts
The change.org petition, which was launched by relatives of people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, has garnered 1,00,711 verified signatures as of Tuesday morning, according to the platform.
In the petition, family members of those who lost their lives in the terror attack say they are writing to express concern over the “potential inclusion of Zohran Mamdani in the 25th-year commemorative events.”
The petition says the organizers oppose Mamdani’s attendance because of various “public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric” that are hostile to their values.
The petition then outlines eight grievances against the New York Mayor, including allegations of support or association with people who are “dismissive of American institutions or insufficiently critical of extremist ideologies.”
One of the key grievances mentions Mamdani’s appointment of Ramzi Kassem as New York City’s chief counsel noting that Kassem had previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi—who was charged for planning the suicide bombing attack on a French oil tanker in 2002.
What Has Giuliani Said About Mamdani’s Attendance At The Event?
In an interview with Newsmax on Sunday, Giuliani launched into a tirade that included baseless claims about Muslims in America and Mamdani’s allegiances. Giuliani, who was the city’s mayor during the attacks, first said: “Having lost friends there, and being very close to many of the families, it offends me that he’s coming.” The former New York Mayor and close ally of President Donald Trump then baselessly accused Muslims of having “every desire to take us over,” and claimed without evidence that Mamdani was a “clear supporter of that.” Giuliani said the 9/11 perpetrators attacked the U.S. “in the name of the Muslim religion” and “weren’t hiding it like Mamdani is trying to hide it,” again without any evidence. Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Tangent
Last week, New York State’s former Republican Gov. George Pataki told City & State that he believes Mamdani’s should not attend the remembrance ceremony. “With respect to the mayor, I think anyone who doesn’t intentionally distance themselves from Hasan Piker, who has said that America deserved the attacks of September 11th, should not be there,” the former governor said. Piker is a popular left-wing Twitch streamer who has come under criticism for various controversial comments, including one about America deserving 9/11. Mamdani, however, disavowed these remarks in a debate during his Mayoral campaign last year, calling them “objectionable and reprehensible.” Pataki also attacked Mamdani for refusing to reject the “globalize the intifada” slogan, claiming it calls for violence against Jewish people across the world. The former governor said he hoped Mamdani would voluntarily opt to sit out of the event unless he chose to “reject those extremist views.”
What Has Mamdani Said About Attending The Ceremony?
On Monday, while attending the West Indian Day Parade, Mamdani refused to respond to Giuliani’s comments but said he will attend the remembrance event at Ground Zero. He told reporters: “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 said his focus will be on attending events this week that “memorializes that incredible courage,” and he will be there at the Memorial on Friday.
Who Are The Prominent Figures Attending The Ceremony?
Aside from Mamdani, the event will be attended by all four living former presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The Trump administration will be represented by Vice President JD Vance, while Trump himself will attend a ceremony at the Pentagon—which was also struck by a plane on 9/11—and give a speech there. The president’s decision to skip the ceremony at Ground Zero reportedly stems from organizers barring all politicians from speaking at the venue.
further reading
Trump Plans to Mark 9/11 at the Pentagon, Not Ground Zero (New York Times)
Pataki says Mamdani should skip 9/11 memorial (City & State)
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