Defended or excused
““What I want this week to be a focus on is on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of September 11.””
Mamdani confirmed that he will attend the memorial and framed his attendance around victims’ families, first responders, and remembrance.
- Speaker
- Zohran Mamdani
- Capacity
- Mayor of New York City
- Observed
- September 7, 2026
- Published here
- September 9, 2026
- Classification rationale
- Mamdani explicitly defended proceeding with his planned attendance.
Surrounding material
Full context
Before the quotation
Mamdani answered questions amid public calls from some critics for him not to attend the annual ceremony.
After the quotation
He said he would attend events honoring first responders’ courage and established a Citywide Day of Remembrance and Service through executive order.
Evidence
Complete source record
FOX 5 New York: Mamdani confirms 9/11 memorial attendance (opens in a new tab)Mayor’s remarks at West Indian Day Parade breakfast
Video of Mamdani answering questions and confirming he will attend the memorial. The full remarks also state that he will attend events memorializing first responders’ courage.
Mayor Mamdani to Declare Sept. 11th an Official Day of Remembrance and Service (opens in a new tab)Mayor’s Office news release
Official city release announcing executive orders establishing a September 11 Day of Remembrance and Service and emergency-preparedness measures.