23,000 sign petition urging NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to skip 25th 9/11 ceremony

Family members who lost loved ones in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack have launched an online petition urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend the 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony, arguing that his presence would be disrespectful to victims and their families, CBS reports.

The petition was started by 9/11 widower Giovanni Galante and another family member who also lost a spouse in the attacks. Galante’s wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was 29 years old on the 105th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center when it was struck.

"We felt that having Mamdani there would show a disrespect to our family members because of the people he supports," Galante said.

As of Tuesday morning, the petition had collected more than 23,000 signatures from supporters who believe the mayor should not participate in this year’s ceremony.

Among those backing the effort is Monica Iken Murphy, whose husband Michael Murphy was killed in the attacks. Michael, 37, worked on the 84th floor of the South Tower.

"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," Murphy said.

Longtime 9/11 advocate John Feal echoed those concerns, saying Mamdani should first demonstrate support for the survivor community before attending the ceremony.

"Until he does something proactive for the 9/11 community, he should just sit there in City Hall," Feal said.

The petition calls on organizers of the annual remembrance ceremony to reconsider Mamdani's participation, citing what it describes as concerns over his "public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric that many perceive as hostile."

It also questions Mamdani's associations with individuals the petition describes as anti-American, including references to his father, and argues that the annual memorial is rooted in honoring those killed while reaffirming American values and rejecting the extremist ideologies behind the attacks.

Not everyone in the 9/11 community agrees with the campaign.

Dennis McKeon, who organizes a 9/11 survivor group on Staten Island, said to CBS that previous mayors and governors attended anniversary ceremonies despite disagreements over their records on supporting victims and families.

"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," McKeon said. "We lost 29 people in our parish in St. Clare's; that's how I first got involved. I think everyone's entitled to their own opinion."

Asked about the petition, Mamdani said to CBS he intends to attend the ceremony and honor those affected by the attacks.

"I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year's 9/11 commemoration, reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who call this city home and, frankly, by all of us who called this country home," Mamdani said.