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Public disputes concerning the September 11, 2001 attacks, their aftermath, memorials, official records, and effects on survivors and responders.
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Case
The Mamdani administration released more than 170,000 pages of City records and settled litigation over post-September 11 air-quality and health records, prompting renewed debate about earlier disclosure, accountability, and support for affected people.
Case
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. George Pataki, and some relatives of September 11 victims say Mayor Zohran Mamdani should not attend the 2026 commemoration, citing concerns about his rhetoric and associations. Mamdani says he will attend to honor victims, families, survivors, and first responders. Other elected officials and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows say excluding the sitting mayor would politicize a ceremony meant for collective remembrance. The dispute is over the civic meaning and appropriateness of attendance, not over whether Mamdani has endorsed the September 11 attacks.
Role at the time: Statement issued by an unnamed spokesperson for Rudy Giuliani, as quoted by WABC
Responding to
Zohran Mamdani administration's release of post-9/11 air-quality and health records
"attempting to score cheap partisan political points"
The representative disputes the characterization of local officials' responsibility and defends Giuliani's administration. This is reported representative speech, not a verified direct quotation spoken personally by Giuliani.
Role at the time: September 11 victim's widow speaking personally
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"It is strictly about the policies that he has today"
The article identifies her participation in the campaign against attendance and records her stated reasons for that opposition.
Role at the time: New York City Council member giving her own interview response
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"being treated differently simply because he is Muslim"
She directly challenges the exclusion campaign and defends Mamdani's participation; her account of the opponents' motivation is attributed rather than independently established.
Role at the time: 9/11 family member
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“Respectfully, stay away from the ceremony on 9/11 at ground zero.”"
He expressly requested non-attendance.
Role at the time: President of the Catholic League
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“Mamdani, do us all a favor and just stay home!”"
He made a direct demand for non-attendance.
Role at the time: 9/11 widower and family advocate
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“Mayor Mamdani, please do not come.”"
He explicitly requested non-attendance.
Role at the time: Member of the New York City Council
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“I am demanding he not show his face at that sacred ground.”"
She explicitly called for his exclusion.
Role at the time: Manhattan borough president
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“won’t listen to him”"
He opposed the demand and supported Mamdani proceeding with attendance.
Role at the time: New York City public advocate
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“should have shut up”"
The statement challenges the legitimacy of Giuliani's intervention rather than separately explaining attendance.
Role at the time: United States senator from New York
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“of course he should be at 9/11”"
He explicitly said Mamdani should attend.
Role at the time: Attorney General of New York
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“he will be there on 9/11”"
She expressly defended the sitting mayor's attendance.
Role at the time: Mayor of New York City
Responding to
Zohran Mamdani said he will attend the 2026 commemoration to honor people affected by the September 11 attacks and described the attacks as a horrific act of terror.
"“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 explicitly defended proceeding with his planned attendance.
Role at the time: Former mayor of New York City during the September 11, 2001 attacks
Responding to
Rudy Giuliani said Mayor Zohran Mamdani should skip the 2026 9/11 memorial and characterized Mamdani’s attendance as offensive.
"“Having lost friends there and being very close to many of the families, it offends me that he’s coming.”"
Giuliani expressly urged exclusion from the ceremony and framed Mamdani as unsuitable to attend.
Role at the time: 9/11 family member
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“I just hope that he doesn’t say a single word”"
Her stated condition concerns silence at the ceremony, not attendance itself.
Role at the time: 9/11 family member
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“he’ll show up to be spiteful”"
She condemned his planned attendance by attributing a hostile motive to it.
Role at the time: Former governor of New York
Responding to
George Pataki said Mamdani should not attend because of Mamdani’s continuing association with Hasan Piker and his past response to the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
"“Anyone who has refused to reject the phrase ‘globalize the intifada’ ... should not be at that site.”"
Pataki directly called for Mamdani to skip the memorial.
Role at the time: Former spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“lightning rod”"
Signing the petition establishes opposition; the quotation captures his stated concern about distraction.
Role at the time: 9/11 widower and petition organizer
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“having Mamdani there would show a disrespect to our family members”"
He organized the exclusion petition and explicitly objected to attendance.
Role at the time: President of the Port Authority Retired Police Association
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“We believe your presence at Ground Zero ... would cause deep pain.”"
The association's letter explicitly opposed attendance and proposed alternative forms of remembrance.
Role at the time: Political figure and radio host
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“He’s the mayor. Stop being sore losers!”"
He directly defended Mamdani's attendance based on his elected office.
Role at the time: United States senator from Louisiana
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“It might be appropriate if he goes while wearing a paper bag over his head.”"
The statement permits attendance only rhetorically and under a humiliating condition, so it is recorded as mixed or conditional.
Role at the time: United States senator from Montana
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“those families should have the say who’s going to show up”"
He supported the petitioners' authority to exclude Mamdani.
Role at the time: Nassau County executive and gubernatorial candidate
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“You wouldn’t show up to a wake where you aren’t wanted.”"
The funeral analogy and protest proposal communicate opposition to attendance.
Role at the time: Actor and public commentator
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“Keep it going New Yorkers.”"
Her endorsement of the petition communicates support for excluding Mamdani.
