New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he plans to attend the upcoming September 11 memorial ceremony, pushing back against calls from some victims’ families and activists who want him excluded from the event.
Mamdani said he intends to stand with survivors, victims’ relatives and first responders during the commemoration, stressing that the anniversary should remain focused on remembering those who lost their lives.
“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack,” Mamdani said. He added that the ceremony would be an opportunity to reaffirm that “we will never forget.”
The debate has placed the city’s annual remembrance ceremony at the center of a political dispute, with supporters and critics offering sharply different views on what the event should represent.
Families Raise Objections To Mamdani’s Attendance
Some 9/11 victims’ relatives have launched a petition urging organizers to prevent Mamdani from attending the ceremony.
The petition was organized by family members who say their concerns are connected to Mamdani’s political record and past statements, rather than his personal identity.
Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace Catherine Galante was killed in the World Trade Center attacks, said the objection was based on Mamdani’s public positions.
“Our objection is based on his public record,” Galante said, adding that “this day is sacred to us.”
Other family members have expressed concerns that the anniversary ceremony should remain a private moment of remembrance rather than become connected to political controversy.
Monica Iken Murphy, whose husband Michael was killed in the South Tower, said families approaching the anniversary “just want a little time for ourselves.”
The petition gained attention online, collecting thousands of signatures from people who support the effort to keep Mamdani away from the ceremony.
Supporters of the petition have pointed to several political disagreements, including debates surrounding Mamdani’s comments about the phrase “globalize the intifada” and his broader views on international issues.
Mamdani has said he would discourage the use of the phrase but has also argued that government officials should be cautious about restricting speech.
Mamdani Points To His Record Of Honoring 9/11 Victims
Mamdani has defended his decision to attend by highlighting his previous statements honoring victims, survivors and first responders.
During a May appearance at an FDNY commissioners’ breakfast at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Mamdani described September 11 as one of the darkest moments in New York City’s history.
“The grief never fades,” Mamdani said during the remarks.
He praised firefighters, emergency workers and other responders who entered dangerous conditions to help others during the attacks.
Mamdani also said supporting survivors and first responders should extend beyond the annual ceremony, including continued attention to health benefits and services for those affected by the attacks.
His supporters argue that attending the memorial is part of the responsibility of serving as New York City’s mayor, regardless of political disagreements.
Critics, however, say the issue is not simply about attendance. They argue that Mamdani’s past statements and political associations have created concerns among some families who lost loved ones on September 11.
Memorial Organizers Focus On Remembrance, Not Politics
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has emphasized that the annual ceremony is designed to honor victims and families, not serve as a political event.
The organization has historically allowed sitting presidents, governors, and New York City mayors to attend the ceremony.
Political leaders traditionally attend as observers, with the focus remaining on the families reading the names of those who died.
The 2026 ceremony will mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and will include the traditional reading of victims’ names, moments of silence, and tributes to those who died in the attacks and from related illnesses afterward.
As of now, there has been no announcement that Mamdani will be barred from attending.
The mayor says he will be present to honor victims and survivors. The families behind the petition say they believe his attendance would be inappropriate.
The disagreement reflects a larger debate over whether public memorials should include all elected officials who hold office or whether certain political controversies should affect who participates.
For Mamdani, the message remains simple: he says he will attend to remember the victims, honor survivors, and stand with the people whose lives were changed forever on September 11.
