VIDEO: 9/11 Victims’ Families Petition Against Mayor Zohran Mamdani Attending Ceremony
NEW YORK — Families of 9/11 victims are calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend the city’s annual remembrance ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on Friday.
A petition organized by families and supporters has drawn more than 101,000 signatures, according to organizers. Those behind the petition say their opposition is not based on Mamdani’s identity but on his policies and political associations.
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Walter Matuza, whose family member was killed on 9/11, said he wants the mayor to stay away from the ceremony.
“Respectfully, stay away from the ceremony on 9/11 at ground zero because it’s very disrespectful to us,” Matuza said.
Cheri Sparacio, whose husband was killed in the attacks, said the petition is not about Mamdani’s background.
“I want to make it clear that this petition is not because of who he is, what he is or where he comes from,” Sparacio said. “It is about the policies and the people that he stands with today, as an adult man, as the New York City mayor.”
Mamdani has said he plans to attend Friday’s ceremony. He would be the first Muslim mayor of New York City to attend the city’s official 9/11 remembrance ceremony, according to the information provided for the event.
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Some families who signed the petition say they plan to ignore the mayor during the ceremony rather than confront him.
Giovanni Galante, who organized the petition, said he does not plan to interact with Mamdani if the mayor attends.
“I’m not shaking his hand. I’m not looking at him,” Galante said. “Everyone is free to do what they want.”
Galante said more than 101,000 people had signed the petition and described the support as a strong showing from those who oppose Mamdani’s presence at the ceremony.
For families of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, the ceremony remains focused on remembering their loved ones.
Jeannette Puccio-Pick, whose father was killed in the attacks, said Mamdani’s presence will not change her plans.
“If the mayor comes, that’s his First Amendment right,” Puccio-Pick said. “However, I can only choose how I will react, which will be to just ignore him. I’m there for my father. Nothing else, nothing more.”