New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced questions Monday over a growing campaign by some families of Sept. 11 victims seeking to prevent him from attending the city’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the terrorist attacks.
The issue arose during a press conference where Mamdani announced a 30 percent discount at five new municipal grocery stores in New York City.
A reporter asked the mayor about an effort led by relatives of 9/11 victims to keep him from participating in this year’s memorial events.
The controversy gained attention after the New York Post published a front-page story Sunday under the headline “STAY AWAY,” reporting that families of victims from the 2001 terrorist attacks wanted Mamdani excluded from the anniversary ceremonies.
Among those speaking out was Giovanni Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was killed in the attacks.
“Our objection is based on his public record — his failure to meaningfully acknowledge the horror of that day, and his employment of, support for, or association with individuals who have minimized 9/11, defended terrorists, or even suggested America ‘deserved’ the attacks,” Galante told the newspaper.
Galante and other supporters have organized a petition on Change.org urging that Mamdani not be permitted to attend the ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
As of this writing, the petition has collected more than 14,000 signatures.
During Monday’s press conference, a reporter asked the mayor about the effort.
“Mr. Mayor, there was a number of people who are survivors of 9/11 are calling on you not to go to 9/11 memorial services,” the reporter said. “I wonder how you feel about the fact that they’re trying to keep you away.”
Mamdani responded by saying he intends to attend the commemoration and honor those affected by the attacks.
“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders, forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 commemoration, reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who call this city home and, frankly, by all of us who call this country home,” Mamdani said.
The renewed scrutiny comes as Mamdani has also faced criticism over recent comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier this month, the mayor said Netanyahu should be arrested for war crimes if he were to come to New York City.
“He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court,” Mamdani said. “And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”
Netanyahu responded to Mamdani’s remarks during an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, criticizing the mayor’s comments.
“He’s supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers. Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister accused Mamdani of fostering division within the city.“But he’s trying to turn one group against the other,” Netanyahu told Bartiromo. “And he’s foisting hate and fear. I speak to Jewish Americans in New York and they’re afraid right now.”
The campaign surrounding the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks continues as organizers of the petition seek to block Mamdani’s attendance, while the mayor has stated he plans to stand alongside victims’ families, survivors, and first responders during this year’s commemoration.
