Hundreds of 9/11 families are urging organizers to bar New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th-anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero, saying his record makes him an unwelcome guest.
Story Highlights
- A petition says Mamdani’s presence would dishonor 9/11 victims and families.
- New York Post reports over 1,100 signatures, including at least 300 from victims’ families.
- Petition cites his reaction to “globalize the intifada” rhetoric and controversial associations.
- Event organizers have not announced any decision on excluding the mayor.
Families’ Petition Pushes to Keep Mayor Away From Ground Zero
9/11 family members launched a Change.org petition urging organizers to keep Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25-year memorial at Ground Zero. The petition argues his attendance would undermine the ceremony’s purpose of unity and respect. It cites concern over his perceived reluctance to condemn “globalize the intifada” rhetoric and his praise or ties to figures whom families view as soft on extremist ideology. The New York Post reported the petition has over 1,100 signatures, with at least 300 from families of victims.
Relatives quoted in reports say the issue is moral clarity. They point to public associations and past comments they see as dismissive of American institutions. One grieving husband said their concern comes from Mamdani’s record and ties to people who downplayed 9/11 or suggested America “deserved” the attacks. Families want the commemoration to center the fallen, first responders, and country, not a political fight they did not choose. They say attendance is a privilege earned by conduct, not guaranteed by office.
Claims Driving Backlash: Rhetoric, Associations, Family Background
The petition lists several reasons for exclusion. It highlights what signers describe as Mamdani’s hesitation to reject “globalize the intifada,” a phrase they link to violence against civilians. It also flags his praise of Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who was a character witness for the “Blind Sheikh,” a point critics see as troubling judgment. The petition even cites the mayor’s father’s writings after 9/11, which, according to the petition, drew a moral equivalence between the United States and al-Qaeda—an argument families call unacceptable at a memorial.
Secondary reporting shows this is not the first clash. A prior controversy focused on Mamdani’s association with online figure Hasan Piker, who said “America deserved” 9/11, drawing sharp rebukes from families. Other coverage shows relatives telling Mamdani to avoid Ground Zero entirely. These episodes fuel the petitioners’ view that a pattern exists. That said, these are association-based claims. The current record does not include a primary-source statement where Mamdani endorses terrorism or insults victims.
What Is Known, What Is Not, and Why It Matters
Event organizers have not announced a decision on Mamdani’s status at the ceremony. There is no confirmed exclusion in the record so far. Reports also show that Mamdani has posted annual tributes to the nearly 3,000 victims, sometimes repeating similar language, which his critics call formulaic but which still mark the day as solemn. CNN also documented that he clarified a disputed family anecdote about post-9/11 fear, naming a relative to correct the record. These facts do not erase concerns, but they narrow the claims in play.
Families of American victims murdered by Islamic terrorists on 9/11 have had enough.
They call New York’s Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, an “unwelcome guest” and demand he be barred from the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero.
These are not activists. These are widows,… https://t.co/N68MBZPYV7 pic.twitter.com/5rxtsDdol1
— Liza Rosen (@LizaRosen0000) July 25, 2026
For conservatives, the core issue is respect for the dead and moral clarity about terrorism. Families are signaling a red line: no equivocation about violence or groups that target Americans. Their petition is specific about why they object, and it has visible backing. But some claims rely on associations and contested context, not direct statements. Readers should demand the primary clips and transcripts. Organizers should state clear attendance rules. Ground Zero deserves facts, not spin.
Sources:
redstate.com, nydailynews.com, nypost.com, cnn.com, youtube.com, dailywire.com
