Several of the speakers tasked with reading the names of the 2,983 people murdered in the 9/11 terrorist attacks went off the proverbial script and took aim at the government of Saudi Arabia as being complicit in the death of thousands.
It reflected the politically charged atmosphere that seemed to permeate this year’s commemoration of 9/11, which traditionally had been void of politics. In the days leading up to the ceremony, critics of Mayor Zohran Mamdani — who was 9 years old when the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — had publicly called for him to avoid the 9/11 Memorial Friday over his pro-Palestine rhetoric. Others criticized former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and previous administrations for withholding documents about the air quality at Ground Zero that the Mamdani administration made public Tuesday.
Yet at Friday’s ceremony, the politicians seemed to exhibit a sense of decorum. Mamdani received a friendly pat on the back from Vice President J.D. Vance, who was representing President Donald Trump. Critics of Mamdani were largely silent at the event.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Mayor Zohran Mamdani greet each other at the 9/11 Memorial on Sept. 11, 2026.Photo by Todd Maisel
Mayor Mamdani was seen talking with Rudy Giuliani’s son, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, and other former leaders. He also was greeted by former President George W. Bush, who was in charge on 9/11.
After the tolling of a bell at 8:46 a.m. and a moment of silence was observed for the time when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, the reading of names began.
Terry Strada lost her husband Thomas, a vice president at Cantor Fitzgerald, in the attacks. She was among the first to read the names Friday, and after performing her service, made a memorial statement to her late husband that questioned why nothing had been done to hold Saudi Arabia’s government accountable for the 9/11 attacks.
Kaitlyn Strada Wallace joined her mother Terry reading names of those who perished. She and her mom said they are seeking justice from Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
Strada blamed Saudi Arabia, calling them murderers and sponsors of the terror attack that killed her husband.
“How can it be 25 years and still we have no justice for role that Saudi Arabia played in your murder?” Terry Strada said, evoking applause and shouts of approval from the crowd. “Yes, we finally made it into a court and have proved that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fomented a rancid culture of anti-American terrorism around the globe and then sent its agents to support the radical Islamist hijackers so they could attack you and all of our loved ones.”
In her extraordinary statement, she also criticized prior presidential administrations for not holding Saudi Arabia accountable. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden were in attendance at the memorial.
“For 25 years, administration after administration, including leaders in front of us here today, chose to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families,” Strada added. “They withheld evidence, they vetoed JASTA (Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act). They broke promises, both public and private.”
Terry Strada, National chair of the group 9/11 Families United, poses near the memorial on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York.Adam Gray/Pool via REUTERS
She appealed to Vice President Vance to “please carry that message back” to President Trump, urging him to “stand with the families; stand with the survivors; stand with Americans.”
“As my husband Tom always said, that is always the right thing to do,” she said.
At least one other speaker reading names of the victims said he was also seeking justice from Saudi Arabia for the death of their family members.
These were the first to read the names. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
Former President Joe Biden is pictured along with former President George W. Bush, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Vice President J.D. Vance. Photo by Todd Maisel
Former President George W. Bush and Mayor Mamdani. Photo by Todd Maisel 
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio and current Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Photo by Todd Maisel
9/11 victims’ families remember
Jennifer Nilsen carried a photo of her husband, Troy Nilsen, who died in the attack on the South Tower.
“I feel the same – it’s gut wrenching and heart breaking, I will never get over it,” Nilsen said. “Even after 25 years, no. I come here every year and will come here every year after.”
Jennifer Nilsen holds photo of her husband Troy killed on 9/11. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
Edwin Morales, a veteran of the army, came to celebrate his cousin, Ruben Correa, who was both a Marine and died as a firefighter on 9/11. He and his family placed flowers and saluted at the memorial glades.
“Ruben died in the Marriott when the building collapsed, and we will never forget him,” Morales said. “We should not forget all those people who are still dying to this day. Last week we lost another three people. We should not forget.”
Firefighter Tim Tishner held a photo of Mike Roberts, a close friend who was killed on 9/11. He was joined by his girlfriend Agnes Posile and retired Chief Joseph Fox. Roberts was Fox’s nephew.
“Mike loved being a firefighter and loved the department,” Tishner said. “And 25 years later, it’s still raw. It took a long time for me to come back here, to honor my friend Mike.”
Firefighter Tim Tishner remembers his friend Firefighter Mike Roberts. (Photo by Todd Maisel) 
Yo Yo Ma plays the cello during the reading. (Photo by Todd Maisel) 
Photo by Todd Maisel 
Photo by Todd Maisel
Photo by Todd Maisel 
Photo by Todd Maisel