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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

Cheri Sparacio

Role at the time: September 11 victim's widow speaking personally

Condemned

Responding to

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

"It is strictly about the policies that he has today"
Why we used this label

The article identifies her participation in the campaign against attendance and records her stated reasons for that opposition.

CNN interviews Shahana Hanif and Cheri Sparacio about Mamdani's memorial attendance (opens in a new tab)Hanif and Sparacio quotations in Partisan rancor threatens solemn unity of 9/11 ceremony

Walter Matuza

Role at the time: 9/11 family member

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

He expressly requested non-attendance.

Bill Donohue

Role at the time: President of the Catholic League

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“Mamdani, do us all a favor and just stay home!”"
Why we used this label

He made a direct demand for non-attendance.

Charles Wolf

Role at the time: 9/11 widower and family advocate

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“Mayor Mamdani, please do not come.”"
Why we used this label

He explicitly requested non-attendance.

Joann Ariola

Role at the time: Member of the New York City Council

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“demanded that Mayor Mamdani stay away from this year’s ceremonies”"
Why we used this label

Her public statement expressly supports non-attendance.

Families deliver petition urging Mamdani to skip 9/11 ceremony (opens in a new tab)Joann Ariola statement about September 8 City Hall event

Vickie Paladino

Role at the time: Member of the New York City Council

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

She explicitly called for his exclusion.

Rudy Giuliani

Role at the time: Former mayor of New York City during the September 11, 2001 attacks

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

Giuliani expressly urged exclusion from the ceremony and framed Mamdani as unsuitable to attend.

Angie Pesce

Role at the time: 9/11 family member

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“he’ll show up to be spiteful”"
Why we used this label

She condemned his planned attendance by attributing a hostile motive to it.

George Pataki

Role at the time: Former governor of New York

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

Pataki directly called for Mamdani to skip the memorial.

Michael LaRosa

Role at the time: Former spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“lightning rod”"
Why we used this label

Signing the petition establishes opposition; the quotation captures his stated concern about distraction.

Retired Port Authority officers tell Mamdani and Hochul to stay away from Ground Zero (opens in a new tab)John McDevitt’s August 14 letters and Michael LaRosa’s petition statement

Giovanni Galante

Role at the time: 9/11 widower and petition organizer

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“having Mamdani there would show a disrespect to our family members”"
Why we used this label

He organized the exclusion petition and explicitly objected to attendance.

John McDevitt

Role at the time: President of the Port Authority Retired Police Association

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“We believe your presence at Ground Zero ... would cause deep pain.”"
Why we used this label

The association's letter explicitly opposed attendance and proposed alternative forms of remembrance.

Retired Port Authority officers tell Mamdani and Hochul to stay away from Ground Zero (opens in a new tab)John McDevitt’s August 14 letters and Michael LaRosa’s petition statement

Tim Sheehy

Role at the time: United States senator from Montana

Condemned

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”"
Why we used this label

He supported the petitioners' authority to exclude Mamdani.

Bruce Blakeman

Role at the time: Nassau County executive and gubernatorial candidate

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

The funeral analogy and protest proposal communicate opposition to attendance.

Patricia Heaton

Role at the time: Actor and public commentator

Condemned

Responding to

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

"“Keep it going New Yorkers.”"
Why we used this label

Her endorsement of the petition communicates support for excluding Mamdani.

Jillian Michaels

Role at the time: Podcast host and media personality

Condemned

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.”"
Why we used this label

She directly condemned the decision to attend and described it as antagonistic.

People with useful coverage

Maureen Santora

Mother of firefighter Christopher Santora, who was killed in the September 11 attacks.

1 case and 1 statement

Angie Pesce

Sister of Danny Pesce, who was killed in the September 11 attacks.

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Michael LaRosa

Political communications professional and former spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden.

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Giovanni Galante

September 11 family advocate whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center attacks.

1 case and 1 statement

John McDevitt

President of the Port Authority Retired Police Association.

1 case and 1 statement

Curtis Sliwa

New York political figure, radio host, and founder of the Guardian Angels.

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John Kennedy

United States senator from Louisiana.

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Tim Sheehy

United States senator from Montana.

1 case and 1 statement

Bruce Blakeman

American politician serving as Nassau County executive.

1 case and 1 statement

Patricia Heaton

American actor and public commentator.

1 case and 1 statement

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