Ahead of the upcoming remembrance service for the 25th anniversary of September 11th, New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared an 80-second video describing the day as one of “immeasurable loss” and the “darkest day” in the city’s history.
In the video, Mamdani reflects on the tragic events from 25 years ago, when terrorists took the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 2,753 New Yorkers. He urges viewers to also honor the first responders and everyday heroes who rushed to help during that chaotic time. His message seems to carry a tone of both reverence and urgency.
However, his planned attendance at the official memorial is met with significant pushback. Notably, a petition has gathered over 110,000 signatures, urging him to skip the ceremony due to controversy surrounding his appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief legal counsel.
Kassem has faced criticism for previously defending an al-Qaeda operative, which several family organizations argue undermines the respect and purpose of the memorial. The petition emphasizes that for many affected families, this day is intensely personal, not merely a public event.
“The presence of individuals whose words or associations are perceived as conflicting with the solemn purpose of the event risks detracting from that focus and causing additional pain,” the petition states. “The 25th anniversary should remain centered on remembrance, unity, and a clear rejection of the violence and extremism that defined that day.”
Further fanning the flames of discontent, Mamdani’s gift to Kassem of a ceremonial pen used for signing 9/11-related executive orders has been criticized as insensitive, particularly in light of the strong emotions surrounding the anniversary.
