Family members of 9/11 victims are mounting a very public push to keep New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani away from this year’s 25th-anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero, arguing that his past comments and associations would make his appearance painful for survivors and grieving relatives. What is normally a carefully nonpolitical remembrance has suddenly turned into a hometown flashpoint.
The effort centers on a petition started by Giovanni Galante on Change.org, which lays out detailed objections to including Mamdani in the official program. The online tally shows dozens of verified signatures at the time of publication. Organizers told the New York Post that they have collected more than 1,100 signatures overall and say at least 300 of those are from victims’ families. The petition urges the ceremony’s planners to prioritize family members and first responders when finalizing who appears on the stage.
Museum and elected officials respond
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum told the New York Post that it has “intentionally worked to keep the commemoration free of politics,” stressing that the annual ceremony is structured to keep the focus on victims and survivors. Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola told the Post she is prepared to assist the petition organizers, who say they plan to keep pressing city elected officials as the anniversary draws closer.
What petitioners say
Galante’s petition strings together a list of grievances, from what it describes as past praise of controversial figures to appointments and endorsements that, in the view of the signers, clash with the solemn purpose of Sept. 11 memorial events. The petition text cites specific examples in arguing that Mamdani’s appearance would undercut the tone of the day and urges organizers to “preserve the integrity” of the ceremony, according to the posting on Change.org.
Mamdani's record and local reaction
Zohran Mamdani, New York’s first Muslim mayor, has in recent months drawn sharp criticism from some Jewish communal leaders and first-responder groups over his remarks and public stances related to the Israel-Gaza war and associated protests. Coverage in The Washington Post and The Forward has documented those tensions and the community anger that petition organizers say is now fueling their campaign to keep the Ground Zero commemoration centered squarely on the victims.
Next steps ahead of Sept. 11
The 25th-anniversary ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2026, with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum overseeing the annual observances at the site. Petition organizers say they intend to continue lobbying the City Council and other officials while the museum finalizes the program. The memorial’s calendar and event details are posted on the institution’s website at 9/11 Memorial & Museum. In the coming weeks, family groups and museum leaders will be watching closely to see how the guest list and program evolve for what they insist must remain a day of remembrance, not a political brawl.
