NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — As New York prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism from some 9/11 family members and prominent political figures over his plans to attend this week’s remembrance events.
According to the mayor, he has attended or plans to attend about a dozen 9/11-related ceremonies, including Friday’s official commemoration at the World Trade Center site.
The mayor’s participation comes days after he signed executive orders establishing Sept. 11 as an annual “Citywide Day of Remembrance and Service” and directing efforts to modernize the city’s emergency preparedness procedures.
Some family members of those killed in the attacks have launched an online petition urging Mamdani not to attend Friday’s ceremony.
The petition urges organizers to exclude the mayor, arguing that some of his public positions, associations and past statements are inconsistent with the values they believe the event is meant to honor.
Former Gov. George Pataki has also opposed the mayor’s attendance, and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Sunday he would be “offended” if Mamdani attends the event.
President Donald Trump is not expected to attend Friday’s ceremony. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to be there, while Trump plans to host 9/11 first responders and officials at the White House, where a 21-foot steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center’s South Tower will be displayed.
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