Family Members Of 9/11 Victims Want Mamdani Barred From 25th Anniversary Ceremonies

Families of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have launched a petition urging officials to exclude New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th anniversary memorial events planned for later this year. The initiative, spearheaded by relatives of those killed in the attacks, claims Mamdani's political affiliations and past statements contradict the spirit of remembrance and respect central to the commemorations. As of midday Monday, the petition had gathered over 14,000 signatures, according to reports. Giovanni Galante, a Florida-based real estate agent and organizer of the campaign, lost his 29-year-old wife, Grace Catherine Galante, during the attacks. He described Mamdani's presence at the ceremonies as an affront to the memory of the victims. “After 25 years, it’s kind of a slap in the face that this guy being someone [who] supports terrorists and follows people that think we deserve 9/11 is really an insult,” Galante said. He emphasized that the commemoration should be a time of unity and reflection, not a stage for divisive politics. The petition outlines several concerns regarding Mamdani's stance on issues related to the attacks and their aftermath. One point of contention is his public blame of the United States for radicalizing Anwar al-Awlaki, an al Qaeda propagandist linked to the 9/11 hijackers. Critics argue this perspective shifts responsibility away from the attackers and onto the victims. Additionally, the document references Mamdani's apparent reluctance to explicitly condemn phrases like “globalize the intifada,” which many associate with endorsing violence. Another concern cited in the petition involves Mamdani's associations with individuals deemed controversial. These include Brooklyn imam Siraj Wahhaj, who was named as an alleged co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and served as a character witness for the “Blind Sheikh,” who was convicted in 1995 for planning terror attacks against the U.S. The petition also mentions Mamdani's endorsement of candidates like Aber Kawas, who attributed the 9/11 attacks to broader systemic issues within the U.S. Mamdani's father, Mahmood Mamdani, has written about suicide bombings in ways that some view as minimizing their brutality. This has reportedly influenced his son's views, according to the petition. More recently, Mamdani appointed Ramzi Kassem as New York City’s chief counsel. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, who was convicted in an al Qaeda tanker bombing plot. The petition includes comments from individuals directly affected by the attacks. Bruce, a first responder, expressed strong opposition to Mamdani's attendance, stating that seeing the devastation firsthand and losing 343 fellow firefighters makes his presence unacceptable. Marc, a search and recovery worker, argued that the ceremony should remain a non-political space for mourning, free from political agendas. The movement gained further traction through online platforms, with a Change.org petition collecting over 5,200 signatures, including more than 300 from family members of 9/11 victims. Organizer Giovanni Galante reiterated that the anniversary should be a sacred occasion for mourning, not a forum for those associated with far-left anti-American rhetoric. He stated that Mamdani’s presence would be deeply hurtful and inappropriate, akin to an unwelcome guest at a deeply personal ceremony. Critics of Mamdani have also pointed to his associations with figures like Hasan Piker, a commentator known for making controversial statements about the attacks. Some argue that Mamdani's actions and alliances reflect a broader trend of anti-Israel sentiment and potential antisemitism. Senator John Fetterman criticized Mamdani's recent threats against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that Mamdani's anger stems from Netanyahu killing individuals he admires, such as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar or Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Despite these criticisms, Mamdani has not publicly responded to the allegations or the petition. His office has yet to provide a statement on the matter. As the 25th anniversary approaches, the debate over his participation continues to unfold, with families of victims pushing for his exclusion from the events.