Public disputes concerning the September 11, 2001 attacks, their aftermath, memorials, official records, and effects on survivors and responders.
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: 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: 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?
"“demanded that Mayor Mamdani stay away from this year’s ceremonies”"
Her public statement expressly supports 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: 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?
"“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: 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.
Role at the time: Podcast host and media personality
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"“It is a literal act of contempt. He’s not honoring their grief.”"
She directly condemned the decision to attend and described it as antagonistic.
Shahana Hanif is a New York City Council member representing Brooklyn's 39th District. A community organizer born and raised in the district, she became the first Bangladeshi and Muslim woman elected to the Council. Her public work includes housing, immigrant communities, and accessibility.
1 case and 1 statement
Cheri Sparacio is a September 11 victim's family member who has participated publicly in debates about commemoration of the attacks. Her husband, Tom Sparacio, worked for Euro Brokers in the World Trade Center's south tower and was killed on September 11, 2001.
1 case and 1 statement
American lawyer and politician who served as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001.
2 cases and 2 statements
Son of Walter A. Matuza Jr., who was killed in the September 11 attacks.
1 case and 1 statement
President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
1 case and 1 statement
September 11 family advocate whose wife was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
1 case and 1 statement
Republican member of the New York City Council.
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Republican member of the New York City Council.
1 case and 1 statement
Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City and a democratic socialist politician.
2 cases and 1 statement
Attorney general of New York.
1 case and 1 statement
New York City comptroller and former Manhattan borough president.
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United States senator from New York and Senate Democratic leader.
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