New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing calls to skip the city’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 attacks, with retired officers warning that his presence at the ceremony would cause “deep pain” for victims’ families.
The demand came from retired Port Authority police officers, who urged both the socialist mayor and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to stay away from the annual remembrance event at Ground Zero.
John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, sent separate letters to the two Democrats, appealing for them not to attend the memorial ceremony.
“For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials,” McDevitt wrote in his letter to Mamdani.
“It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who were murdered, those who responded, those who survived, and the families who have carried these losses for twenty-five years.”
The police association said its members have “profound concerns” about Mamdani’s past public remarks and political positions, arguing they could “risk shifting attention away from the people whose lives, courage, and sacrifice the ceremony exists to honor.”
Mamdani previously drew anger over a 2023 statement marking the anniversary of the attacks, issued while he was serving in the New York State Assembly. Critics accused him of minimizing the atrocity by writing that “New Yorkers died on 9/11,” rather than saying they had been murdered.
That post resurfaced this week as the Port Authority Retired Police Association renewed its criticism, with opponents again accusing Mamdani of softening the language around the tragedy.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NY Governor Kathy Hochul have been told to stay away from the city’s 25th anniversary 9/11 commemoration because their attendance would inflict ‘deep pain’ on victims’ families
The police union said officers have ‘profound concerns’ over Mamdani’s public statements. Mamdani previously sparked fury with his statement commemorating the attacks in 2023 as he was accused of minimizing the events of the attack by saying ‘New Yorkers died on 9/11’
In McDevitt’s open letter urging Mamdani not to attend the Ground Zero event, he suggested the mayor should instead release a public statement or attend a separate event.
‘This is our day to remember,’ he wrote. ‘Please allow us to remember in peace.’
Mamdani previously attended the 9/11 commemoration event at Ground Zero in 2025, where he met with King Charles.
In the letter to Hochul, the police union leader specifically cited her decision to illuminate the One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month as a reason for her to stay away.
‘We believe that political pandering played a role in a decision that showed such disregard for the significance of this sacred site,’ McDevitt wrote.
He branded the move ‘insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront’ to the victims of 9/11, and wrote: ‘Because of that decision, we believe that you have forfeited your right to stand alongside us at Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary.’
While Mamdani has not responded to the letter, Hochul’s office quickly rejected the demand and insisted the governor ‘has enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11.’
The governor’s office said she will ‘proudly stand alongside them at this year’s commemoration’.
Hochul’s spokesperson added that the governor understands that Muslims ‘served as first responders and helped unite the city in the aftermath of 9/11’, and she ‘knows we can respect these families while being clear that Islamophobia has no place in New York.’
Our News Outlet has contacted Hochul and Mamdani for comment.
Mamdani previously attended the 9/11 commemoration event at Ground Zero in 2025, where he met with King Charles
Retired Port Authority police officers demanded that the socialist mayor and New York Governor Kathy Hochul miss the 9/11 commemoration because their attendance would inflict ‘deep pain’ on victims’ families
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for New York Governor who is running to unseat Hochul, said he found it ‘deeply unfortunate’ that the retired Port Authority police officers felt compelled to ask the Democrats to stay away
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for New York Governor who is running to unseat Hochul, took to X to share the concerns of the Port Authority officers.
‘It is deeply unfortunate that retired Port Authority police officers feel compelled to ask Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani to stay away from the 25th anniversary of September 11,’ Blakeman wrote.
‘Hochul and Mamdani need to listen to the heroes who lived through the horrors of that day and lost their brothers and sisters. Ground Zero is sacred.
‘This anniversary should be about remembering the innocent lives lost, standing with their families, and honoring the brave first responders who ran toward danger.’
Mamdani has previously said he would ‘proudly honor’ the victims of the 9/11 attacks at the ceremony, prompting a petition asking organizers to bar the mayor from attending.
The petition, launched in July by the husband of 9/11 victim Grace Galante, has drawn more than 95,000 signatures.
Organizer Giovanni Galante wrote in the petition: ‘Speaking as the husband of Grace Catherine Galante, we are taking measures to shield our loved ones by barring anyone who opposes our way of life from the ceremony.’
