Families of 9/11 victims are campaigning to prevent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from attending the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero next year, citing concerns about his positions on Israel, Islamist extremism, and past political associations.
A Change.org petition circulated by relatives of attack victims seeks to exclude the first-term mayor from the September 11, 2026 ceremony, describing him as an "unwelcome guest." The effort is led by real estate agent Charles Galante and Cheri Sparacio, whose husband Thomas was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. Organizers plan to lobby elected officials and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which oversees the annual ceremony.
The petition objects to Mamdani's refusal during last year's mayoral campaign to repudiate the slogan "globalize the intifada," His appearance alongside Brooklyn imam Siraj Wahhaj during the campaign, and his appointment of civil rights attorney Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel. Kassem previously represented detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. The petition also cites Mamdani's endorsements of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates and past social media posts discussing radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
"This day is sacred to us," Galante said, stating the ceremony "is not a platform for those connected to such views."
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum said it does not determine attendance based on elected officials' political views. Spokeswoman Julie Wood noted that every sitting president, governor, and mayor has attended since 2001 and are seated without delivering speeches - a policy adopted to preserve the ceremony as remembrance rather than a political event.
Monica Iken-Murphy, a founding trustee whose husband Michael was killed on September 11, signed the petition but said her position stems not from disagreement with Mamdani's politics but rather that the landmark 25th anniversary should be reserved for officials who played direct roles in the city's recovery.
Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor, has participated in multiple September 11-related events since taking office in January, including a wreath-laying ceremony with King Charles III in April and a memorial visit in May.
Queens Council Member Joann Ariola said she is prepared to assist petition organizers in bringing concerns before the City Council. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum controls the official guest list, and under its longstanding policy, every sitting mayor is invited to attend.