Some relatives of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend this year's 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony, arguing that his presence would detract from what they say should remain a solemn day focused on families and those directly affected by the attacks.
The effort centers on an online petition launched by 9/11 widower Giovanni Galante and a woman who lost her husband on Sept. 11. The petition asks organizers of the annual commemoration at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to exclude Mamdani from the ceremony, citing concerns about his public positions, associations and statements they believe conflict with the event's purpose.
"For 9/11 families, this is not simply
a public ceremony – it is a deeply personal day of mourning," the petition states, arguing that the anniversary should remain focused on remembrance, unity and "an unambiguous rejection of the violence and extremism that defined that day."
As of Aug. 1, more than 65,000 people had signed the petition.
Why some families oppose Mamdani's attendance
Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was working on the 105th floor of the North Tower when the attacks occurred, told CBS New York he believes Mamdani's attendance would be "a disrespect to our family members because of the people he supports."
The petition argues that the anniversary is rooted in "shared American values" and points to what organizers describe as concerns over Mamdani's public positions and associations. It also references remarks and affiliations involving people connected to the mayor, saying those issues have caused some victims' relatives to question whether his participation would align with the ceremony's purpose.
Meryl Mayo-Marshall, whose husband, Robert J. Mayo, a deputy fire safety director at the World Trade Center, died after staying behind to help evacuate others, is among the petition's supporters.
"He ran toward the smoke when everyone else was running away from it," she told USA TODAY network partner NorthJersey.com of her husband's actions that day.
Lori Schertzer Brody, whose brother Scott Schertzer was killed in the attacks, also told the publication she believes Mamdani "should do the right thing and stay home."
Others disagree
Not all survivors and victims' relatives support excluding the mayor.
Jennifer Glass, a 9/11 survivor, told NorthJersey.com that she has no objection to Mamdani attending as long as he does not have a speaking role or direct interaction with families. Dennis McKeon, who organizes a Staten Island 9/11 survivor group, similarly told CBS New York that previous mayors and governors attended memorials despite criticism of their records on 9/11 issues.
Mamdani says he will attend
Mamdani has said he plans to attend this year's commemoration.
"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 told CBS New York.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum said the annual ceremony has intentionally remained free of politics, noting that government officials from across the political spectrum attend to bear witness but do not deliver remarks and remain in a designated area during the event, according to CBS New York.
Contributing: NorthJersey.com's Deena Yellin
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 9/11 families petition to bar NYC Mayor Mamdani from memorial
