As Mayor Zohran Mamdani took measures to remember and release records related to September 11, survivor family members at two Downtown rallies asked the mayor not to attend the Ground Zero memorial and protested some of his political party’s policies.
At least a half dozen family members of those killed on 9/11 rallied at City Hall, asking Mamdani not to attend what they said is an inherently “private” 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero Friday.
Nearly 400 others, including families of 9/11 victims, interfaith leaders and civil rights activists rallied outside the New York City Democratic Socialists of America Manhattan offices, also asking the mayor not to attend and questioning some of the party’s policies.
Mandami, who has taken numerous steps to mark the anniversary, dismissed criticism and said he plans on attending.
Protestors, meanwhile, focused on Twitter posts, statements and actions that they said were insensitive toward 9/11 survivors, sympathetic to terrorists or statements, if they are not antisemitic, that could promote that sentiment.
At least a half dozen family members of those killed on 9/11 rallied at City Hall, asking Mamdani not to attend what they said is an inherently “private” 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero Friday.Photo by Amnon Shemi
“We all went through a traumatic event. And we had politicians that were by our side helping us, inviting us into their homes, caring about us,” Charles Wolf, whose wife Catherine was killed in the North Tower, said at City Hall. “Even though there are going to be other politicians there, there are politicians that helped us, pushed beneficial laws through and literally held our hand during that time.”
Wolf believes some of Mamdani’s views will become a focus of the event if he attends, taking away the focus from what occurred 25 years ago ranging from horror to heroism.
“It is a private ceremony. It is not a public ceremony,” Wolf said. “Mayor Mamdani, please, do not come.”
Cheri Sparacio, whose husband died in the attack at age 35, attended both rallies, saying she objects to some of the mayor’s decisions, actions and statements, asking him not to attend.
If anything, the election of a mayor of the Muslim faith due to votes of people of diverse religions shows how far New York City has come, but a surge in antisemitic attacks prompted some to point to that as one persistent problem.
Mamdani repeatedly has called the attack “horrific” and recently took actions related to 9/11, including releasing records related to health, and declaring the date a New York City day of remembrance.
“Remembrance carries a responsibility to strengthen our city, protect New Yorkers and ensure that government is prepared to deliver for people no matter the circumstances,” Mamdani said in a written statement. “‘Never Forget’ is not a slogan. It is a commitment that we must carry forward through action.”
Photo by Amnon Shemi
Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former Gov. Gov. George Pataki, both Republicans, also said he should not attend on Friday in what seemed like efforts to politicize the event as Madami seeks to remember victims and honor heroes and helpers.
“I’m proud to be the mayor of this city. I love this city. I love this country. What I want this week to be a focus on is on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago,” Mamdani said recently. “And the horrific act of terror of September 11 and the focus also on the first responders who did everything they could (for) this city. And to the people who came together to try help their fellow New Yorkers.”
The protestors believe some of the mayor’s and DSA positions help legitimize extremism, terrorism and antisemitism. Calls and emails to the DSA headquarters seeking comment were not returned.
Protestors in what they dubbed a “Unite Against Terror” rally chanted “USA not DSA,” at the corner of Essex Street and Straus Square in Manhattan, said September 11, 2001, was driven in part by Islamic extremism.
They at the event, organized by EndJewHatred and the Lawfare Project, said the day after Hamas murdered approximately 1,200 on Oct. 7, 2023, the New York City DSA in a Times Square rally cited Palestinians’ “right to resist” in what some saw as efforts to justify a terrorist attack.
Pushback and Mamdani’s response
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and Democratic Socialists of America member and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the rhetoric at that rally that Mamdani did not attend or condemn.
Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace was killed in the 9/11 attacks and who spoke at both rallies, said he gathered more than 100,000 signatures, including some from survivor family members, requesting the mayor not to attend the memorial.
“We ask that the 25th anniversary stay focused on honoring the victims and survivors,” he said.
Brooke Goldstein, founder and executive director of the Lawfare Project and founder of #EndJewHatred, said “waving the flags of Hamas and Hezbollah” supports terrorism.
Michael Weinstein, whose firefighter cousin Stephen Belson was killed in the 9/11 attacks, said the DSA sometimes crosses a line that supports terrorist attacks.
And Anila Ali, founder and president of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, said “radical ideology” remains a danger.
“That ideology has seeped into all our institutions – the Democratic party, the DSA, the universities, the colleges, and also our schools,” Ali said.
Mamdani’s statements, and political views, prompted push back from people who said, while he’s entitled to his own views, these do not represent theirs.
Mamdani has taken a number of actions related to 9/11 in recent days, making his impact through actions that, even protestors might acknowledge, have had a positive impact.
“In the days to come, my focus will be on attending events that memorialize that incredible courage,” Mamdani said of first responders and others who helped. “I will be there on Friday at the memorial just as I was last year.”