9/11 families are now trying to block New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the Ground Zero anniversary, turning grief into a hard fight over public respect.
Quick Take
- Families of 9/11 victims say Mamdani should be barred from the 25th anniversary event at Ground Zero.
- The petition says his views, associations, and public record do not fit the ceremony’s purpose.
- Critics point to Mamdani’s response to “globalize the intifada,” his ties to Hasan Piker, and his praise of Imam Siraj Wahhaj.
- Supporters of inclusion note that the record does not show a formal organizer decision to exclude him.
Why the Petition Is Gaining Attention
Families behind the petition say Mamdani’s presence would dishonor the dead and weaken the message of remembrance. Giovanni Galante, whose wife died on September 11, said his concern comes from Mamdani’s public history and his ties to people who downplayed the attacks. The petition itself asks organizers to think carefully about whether his attendance fits the ceremony’s purpose.
The Change.org text says the objections center on Mamdani’s refusal to clearly condemn “globalize the intifada,” his links to controversial figures, and his father’s post-9/11 writing on suicide bombers. The New York Post also reported that the petition had more than 1,100 signatures, including at least 300 from victims’ families. For the petitioners, that number helps frame the issue as a family-led demand, not just a political protest.
The Main Criticisms Against Mamdani
The strongest complaints focus on association, not a direct public call for violence by Mamdani himself. The petition cites his connection to Hasan Piker, who said “America deserved 9/11,” and says Mamdani has praised Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a figure critics view as linked to radical Islam. The same materials also say Mamdani has been criticized for not being firm enough when asked about the “globalize the intifada” slogan.
That is why the argument has such force with many 9/11 families. Their view is not just about one event invite. It is about whether a public official who has drawn repeated fire over these issues should stand at a ceremony meant for mourning, unity, and respect. The petitioners say the answer is no, and they want organizers to act before the anniversary arrives.
What the Record Also Shows
The available material does not show a formal decision from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum or event planners to keep Mamdani out. It also does not provide a primary-source statement from Mamdani endorsing terrorism or saying that 9/11 victims deserved the attacks. That matters because the current fight is still about a demand and a dispute, not a completed exclusion.
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
There is also evidence that Mamdani has posted 9/11 tributes in past years. One report said his messages honoring the nearly 3,000 victims have been nearly identical since 2019. CNN reported that he also clarified a disputed family story after backlash, saying he meant his father’s cousin, not the more inflammatory version critics had promoted. Those facts do not end the controversy, but they do undercut claims that he has simply ignored the day.
Why the Fight Is Bigger Than One Invite
This clash has become part of a larger battle over who gets moral authority at Ground Zero. One side sees Mamdani as a symbol of political and cultural drift that should not be near the ceremony. The other side sees a public pile-on built from selective quotes, old grievances, and identity politics rather than a clean proof of wrongdoing.
That tension explains why the story has spread so fast. The dispute mixes 9/11 grief, religious identity, public symbolism, and anger at New York politics. It also shows how quickly families of victims can become the center of a national argument when they speak with one voice. For now, the petition is real, the backlash is real, and the final decision on Mamdani’s attendance has not been shown in the record provided.
Sources:
redstate.com, nypost.com, nydailynews.com, change.org, cnn.com, youtube.com
