One Petition, One Mayor, and a Growing Battle

A petition by September 11 families seeks to bar New York City’s first Muslim mayor from the 25th-anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero, escalating a raw fight over who speaks for that day’s memory.

Story Snapshot

Families launched a petition urging organizers to keep Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th-anniversary ceremony.
Petition cites his perceived reluctance to condemn “globalize the intifada” rhetoric and controversial associations.
Report says more than 1,100 signatures, including at least 300 from victims’ families, back the request.
No formal decision by event organizers has been announced yet.

Families’ Petition and Stated Rationale

Change.org hosts a petition by some September 11 families asking organizers to bar Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th-anniversary ceremony. The petition argues his attendance would not fit the event’s purpose. It cites a perceived reluctance to clearly condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” and concern over his praise for Imam Siraj Wahhaj. It also references statements by Mamdani’s father, presented as troubling context by the signers.

The New York Post reported the petition drew more than 1,100 signatures within days, including at least 300 from victims’ families. One signer, identified as the husband of a victim, said their concern stems from Mamdani’s public record and associations they view as minimizing the September 11 tragedy. These claims are from supporters of the petition and reflect their interpretation of the record.

What Is Documented Versus What Is Disputed

The documented fact is the petition exists and names specific concerns about rhetoric and associations. The materials provided do not show a primary-source statement by Mamdani endorsing terrorism or saying victims “deserved” the attacks. Reporting also shows he has posted tributes to the nearly 3,000 victims for years, which complicates claims that he ignored the day entirely.

The record also lacks a formal decision from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum or event organizers on his attendance. That means the petition is a request, not a resolved outcome. The city’s status for the ceremony suggests the mayor would normally attend unless organizers say otherwise, but no written policy in this set confirms the rules for inclusion or exclusion.

Prior Flashpoints Feeding Today’s Backlash

Coverage over the last two years shows repeated flare-ups around Mamdani tied to September 11 themes. Reports describe criticism of his association with commentator Hasan Piker, who once said “America deserved” the attacks, and related protests near the memorial. These episodes build a pattern of distrust that the petitioners cite as context. The evidence here relies on secondary reporting and protest clips rather than new primary documents.

Families of American victims murdered by Islamic terrorists on 9/11 have had enough.

They call New York’s Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, an “unwelcome guest” and demand he be barred from the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero.

These are not activists. These are widows,… https://t.co/N68MBZPYV7 pic.twitter.com/5rxtsDdol1

— Liza Rosen (@LizaRosen0000) July 25, 2026

Another disputed thread involves a story Mamdani told about a family member’s fear after the attacks. CNN reported he clarified the relative he referenced, which addressed one part of that controversy but did not settle broader doubts among critics. These points show how identity, grief, and politics combine to shape how each side reads the same facts.

Why This Matters for Civic Trust

This fight is about more than one seat at a ceremony. Families seek dignity and moral guardrails for a sacred space. Others warn that exclusion based on contested readings, family background, or associations risks turning civic rituals into partisan tests. Both right and left share a deeper worry: leaders and institutions parse rules in back rooms while the public gets spin. A clear, written decision and evidence-based explanation would help rebuild trust across lines.

What To Watch Next

Watch for an official statement from event organizers on attendance criteria and their decision on Mamdani. Look for primary records: full transcripts of the remarks tied to “globalize the intifada,” the context of his praise for Siraj Wahhaj, and a verified count of family signers. Transparent facts, not clips or labels, should decide who stands at Ground Zero on a day that belongs first to the families.