**Over 70,000 Sign Petition Against NYC Mayor Mamdani's Attendance at 9/11 Commemoration**
A petition urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to refrain from attending the upcoming 9/11 commemoration has gained significant momentum, amassing over 70,000 signatures. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and the destruction of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center.
The annual commemoration is typically held at the memorial site, attracting senior local and federal officials. However, this year's event has become a focal point of controversy, particularly among a group of victims' relatives who initiated the petition against Mamdani's participation.
The petition, launched last month, has drawn attention to what its signatories describe as the mayor's controversial viewpoints and associations. They assert that the issue is not rooted in Mamdani's Muslim faith but rather in his perceived connections to radical figures and organizations. The petition specifically cites his association with Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj and the appointment of Ramzi Kassem, an attorney who previously represented a terrorist convicted in an al-Qaeda tanker bombing plot.
Additionally, the petition references the influence of Mamdani’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, a political scientist whose 2004 book "Good Muslim, Bad Muslim" argued that the 9/11 attacks should be viewed through the lens of modern political violence rather than as mere barbarism. The petitioners claim that the mayor has publicly acknowledged the impact of his father's views on his own perspectives.
In response to the petition, Mayor Mamdani has expressed his intention to attend the commemoration, dismissing the petition as an effort to exclude him from honoring the victims and their families. "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," he stated, emphasizing the importance of remembrance for all New Yorkers.
Amid the controversy, a smaller group known as September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows has come to the mayor's defense, condemning the petitioners for what they describe as anti-American and Islamophobic sentiments. This group, which reportedly has around 250 active members, has received significant funding from the Soros Foundation, totaling over $500,000 in grants over the past decade.
The situation has been further complicated by ongoing tensions between Mayor Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This week, Mamdani suggested that Netanyahu could face arrest on war-crimes charges should he visit New York City, prompting a response from Netanyahu, who accused the mayor of siding with Iran and labeled his criticisms of Israel as "moral cynicism" and "absurdity."
As the 9/11 anniversary approaches, the debate surrounding Mayor Mamdani's participation in the commemoration reflects broader societal divisions over political beliefs, identity, and the legacy of the September 11 attacks. The outcome of this controversy remains to be seen as the city prepares for a day of remembrance that holds deep significance for many.