NEW YORK, NY.- Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that he will attend the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, despite criticism from political figures and a petition calling for him not to participate in the events.
Mamdani reiterated Tuesday that he intends to attend the ceremony after announcing the release of thousands of documents that, he said, indicate New York authorities knew the air around Ground Zero remained toxic after the 2001 attacks.
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The mayor said the 9/11 anniversary should focus on remembering the victims and recognizing those who took part in rescue efforts. He also expressed pride in leading the city and respect for the families who lost loved ones.
Among those challenging his attendance is Rudy Giuliani, who was New York mayor when the attacks occurred and led the city’s response during the hours and days that followed.
Giuliani called Mamdani’s participation “offensive” to the victims’ families and questioned his positions on the terrorist attack. Former Governor George Pataki and Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive and a Republican candidate for governor, have also voiced opposition.
Mamdani announced in July that he would attend the commemoration. Later, Giovanni Galante, the widower of a victim, promoted a petition asking the mayor not to participate. Available information indicates that the petition is approaching 100,000 signatures.
In contrast, New York Governor Kathy Hochul backed the mayor’s presence and said he should attend the ceremony, which sitting mayors have attended since the attacks.
The commemoration will take place Friday at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan. Victims’ families and officials will gather to remember the nearly 3,000 people who died as a result of the attacks.
Since 2012, the ceremony has not included speeches by politicians, so officials participate without delivering remarks during the commemorative event.
President Donald Trump will not attend the New York ceremony and plans to participate in events at the Pentagon, another site attacked on September 11, 2001.
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