More 9/11 families demand Mayor Mamdani skip 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero

A Change.org petition demanding that Mayor Zohran Mamdani skip the 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero has gathered more than 62,000 signatures, many from families of the 2,977 victims. Petition organizer Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace was killed in the attacks, argues that Mamdani’s reluctance to condemn extremist rhetoric and his connections to controversial figures make his attendance unacceptable. Families such as those of firefighter Christopher Santora, Cantor Fitzgerald employee Danny Pesce, and Marsh & McLennan employee Katherine Wolf have voiced that his presence would be disrespectful and painful.

First-responder groups, including the FDNY and former fire commissioner Tom Van Essen, have also signed, some even threatening symbolic protests. Despite the growing pressure, Mamdani has maintained his intention to attend, dismissing the criticism as unfounded. The petition reflects a broader clash between the mayor’s political stance and the wishes of those who lost loved ones on September 11.