Zohran Mamdani 9/11 Ceremony Controversy

A petition with up to 45,000 signatures is calling for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to be excluded from the 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero. Started by 9/11 widower Giovanni Galante and another widow, the petition has drawn support from actress Patricia Heaton and hundreds of victims' families.

Petition Gains 45,000 Signatures

The petition, hosted on Change.org, argues that Mamdani's public positions, associations, and responses to certain rhetoric make him an inappropriate participant in what organizers call a sacred event. It specifically cites Mamdani's "perceived reluctance to clearly and unequivocally condemn phrases such as 'globalize the intifada,'" as well as his support for individuals who have been described as apologists for jihad, extremism, and terrorism. The document also points to Mamdani's father, who the petition says "penned a book shortly after 9/11 in which he argued that suicide bombers should be 'understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism.'" Additionally, the petition notes Mamdani's own comments blaming the US for encouraging attacks on itself, and his tendency to fraternize with people and political candidates who disrespect American institutions and symbols.

Giovanni Galante, whose 29-year-old wife Grace Catherine Galante worked on the 105th floor of the north tower, told CBS News: "We felt that having Mamdani there would show a disrespect to our family members because of the people he supports." Monica Iken Murphy, who lost her 37-year-old husband Michael on the 84th floor of the south tower, signed the petition. She said: "I feel anyone who attends this 25th pivotal anniversary for us, we just want a little time for ourselves, and we don't want someone just coming in, who just came into office, who really wasn't there." 9/11 advocate John Feal was blunter: "Until he does something proactive for the 9/11 community, he should just sit there in City Hall."

The controversy escalated when actress Patricia Heaton, who was in New York City during the 9/11 attacks, publicly backed the petition. The "Everybody Loves Raymond" star, 68, reposted the petition link to her more than 500,000 followers on X with the message: "Keep it going New Yorkers." Heaton's post included a screenshot of a comment left on the petition by a family member who lost their brother in the attacks. The comment read: "I am incensed that a terrorist excuser is now Mayor, and outspoken sympathizer for terrorist perpetrators. He is disqualified from attending the 9/11 remembrance ceremony and ought to be barred."

Mamdani, for his part, has appeared to casually brush off concerns when questioned about whether he would attend the 25th anniversary events. No official decision on his attendance has been reported, and the mayor's office has not issued a public statement on the matter.

But not all 9/11 families agree with the petition's stance. Dennis McKeon, organizer of the 9/11 survivor group, noted: "There's been mayors and governors for the past 25 years that really did nothing to help the 9/11 family members. They were never banned." This points to a deeper question: should a mayor's political views disqualify them from participating in a ceremony that is meant to be nonpartisan and unifying?

The petition itself frames the issue in terms of the ceremony's integrity. It declares: "The 25th anniversary should remain centered on remembrance, unity, and an unambiguous rejection of the violence and extremism that defined that day." It adds: "Ensuring that all participants reflect these principles is essential to preserving the integrity of the commemoration."

This controversy arrives at a time when the nation is already grappling with deep political divisions. The 25th anniversary of 9/11 is a pivotal moment, and the question of who gets to participate in the remembrance is fraught with emotion. For families like Galante's, the ceremony is intensely personal. "This day is sacred to us," Galante said. For others, the idea of excluding an elected official based on their political views sets a troubling precedent.

The legal implications are unclear. The ceremony is organized by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a private nonprofit, which has the authority to determine the guest list. However, as mayor, Mamdani holds a ceremonial role in the city's official commemorations. If the memorial organizers decide to exclude him, it could lead to a legal challenge over the separation of powers or free speech. Conversely, if he attends over the objections of victims' families, it could further inflame tensions.

This is not the first time a mayor has faced controversy over 9/11 commemorations. In the past, some mayors have been criticized for not doing enough for first responders or for politicizing the event. But the current petition is unique in its direct call for exclusion based on a mayor's perceived ideology and associations.

For New Yorkers, the controversy raises uncomfortable questions about the intersection of politics and remembrance. The 9/11 ceremony has long been a rare moment of unity in a divided city. Whether that unity can survive the current political climate remains to be seen.

As the anniversary approaches, all eyes will be on Mamdani and the memorial organizers. The decision they make will send a signal about the boundaries of political speech and the meaning of remembrance in a polarized era.