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September 11 Attacks

Public disputes concerning the September 11, 2001 attacks, their aftermath, memorials, official records, and effects on survivors and responders.

Related cases

Case

Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?

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.

Statements

Rudy Giuliani

Role at the time: Statement issued by an unnamed spokesperson for Rudy Giuliani, as quoted by WABC

Challenged the characterization

Responding to

Zohran Mamdani administration's release of post-9/11 air-quality and health records

"attempting to score cheap partisan political points"
Why we used this label

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.

FDNY union leaders demand accountability after records release; Giuliani spokesperson responds (opens in a new tab)Direct quotations from James Brosi and Robert Eustace, followed by Giuliani spokesperson's statement

Jumaane Williams

Role at the time: New York City public advocate

Challenged the characterization

Responding to

Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?

"“should have shut up”"
Why we used this label

The statement challenges the legitimacy of Giuliani's intervention rather than separately explaining attendance.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell

Role at the time: Deputy executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations

Challenged the characterization

Responding to

Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?

"“anti-Muslim bigotry, plain and simple”"
Why we used this label

He challenged the stated basis for exclusion rather than discussing ceremony logistics.

September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows

Role at the time: Organization of September 11 family members

Challenged the characterization

Responding to

September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows said Mamdani’s planned attendance is consistent with the responsibility undertaken by prior New York City mayors and condemned the campaign to exclude him as containing Islamophobic sentiment.

"“We strongly condemn the anti-American accusations and Islamophobic sentiment underlying the effort seeking to prevent him from being at Ground Zero.”"
Why we used this label

The group explicitly disputed the characterizations used in the exclusion campaign while supporting attendance.

People with useful coverage

Elizabeth Miller

Project director of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and daughter of a person killed in the September 11 attacks.

1 case and 1 statement

Edward Ahmed Mitchell

Civil-rights attorney and deputy executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

1 case and 1 statement

Jillian Michaels

Media personality and host of Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels.

1 case and 1 statement