NYC Mayor Mamdani Attends 9/11 Memorial Despite Protests

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero on September 11, 2026, despite protests from some victims' families and political figures who cited his associations and policies. The mayor delivered remarks honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the heroism of first responders and ordinary New Yorkers. Mamdani released a video statement calling the attacks a "horrific act of terror" and emphasizing community solidarity. "We remember the thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers who lined up for hours to donate blood," he said. "We remember the workers who carried their colleagues down hundreds of stairs, then turned around and went back up to find someone else who needed help." His attendance proceeded despite a petition organized by some 9/11 victims' family members urging him not to come. The petition, which gathered over 110,000 signatures according to its organizers, cited concerns about Mamdani's public record and associations.