{"id":345140,"date":"2026-09-12T18:38:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T18:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/345140\/"},"modified":"2026-09-12T18:38:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T18:38:46","slug":"stop-using-9-11-to-hate-on-muslims-wtc-victims-son-pleads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/345140\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop using 9\/11 to \u2018hate on Muslims,\u2019 WTC victim\u2019s son pleads"},"content":{"rendered":"

Speaking at the 9\/11 memorial ceremony, the son of one of the victims, in an impassioned plea, called on troublemakers to stop using the day to spread Islamophobia and hate. Yet, even as he shared his heartfelt message, a far-right rabblerouser was doing just that a few blocks away.<\/p>\n

The solemn ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorists attacks brought together people from a variety of religious backgrounds, including Michael Massaroli Jr<\/a>., who used the occasion to spread a message about tolerance and acceptance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have seen a medley of people come up today of all races, all religions, all creeds,\u201d said Massaroli, one of dozens of people who read names of victims at the memorial ceremony Friday in Lower Manhattan. \u201cAnd this tragedy is just that, it\u2019s a tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had to grow up and spend the past 25 years seeing people use it to hate on our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hate on people who don\u2019t look like them. And that\u2019s wrong and that does no honor to the victims here,\u201d he said, as the crowd applauded. \u201cI want to use the little platform I have to ask for that to please stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Massaroli Jr. (right), the son of Michael Massaroli, who lost his life in the 9\/11 attack, called on others not to use the tragedy as a reason to “spread hate.” (9\/11 Memorial & Museum)<\/p>\n

His father, Michael Massaroli Sr., 38, was the vice president of operations for the brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, who died during the terrorist attack.<\/p>\n

He was working on the 101st floor when a hijacked plane crashed into the North Tower.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do my dad\u2019s legacy and the legacy of all these victims no honor by using this tragedy to spread hate,\u201d the son said.<\/p>\n

As Massaroli and other family members read names<\/a> and listened to bells toll, far-right activist and anti-Muslim crusader Jake Lang led a \u201cCrusader March\u201d outside City Hall.<\/p>\n

\"AA crowd gathers in City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2026, as Jake Lang (center, holding crucifix) shouts anti-Muslim sentiments. (Rebecca White \/ New York Daily News)<\/p>\n

Along with \u201cNever forget!\u201d and \u201cJesus is king!\u201d Lang shouted, \u201cDeport Mamdani! Deport the Muslims! Stop Islam!\u201d<\/p>\n

The demonstration resulted in an arrest, although it was not clear if the protester was a Lang backer or part of a counter-demonstration.<\/p>\n

Lang spent four years in jail<\/a> for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection before being pardoned by President Trump.<\/p>\n

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