A growing petition signed by roughly 50,000 people is urging organizers of New York City’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 terrorist attacks to limit Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s participation, even as the mayor insists he will attend the solemn event.

By this morning, the petition had amassed over 57,000 signatures. Those behind the effort cite concerns over Mamdani’s public comments and some of his associations, although several of the claims referenced in the petition remain disputed.

Mamdani has consistently voiced strong support for Palestinians, arguing that Israel has subjected them to disproportionate military action during its war against Hamas. His critics counter that Hamas’ October 7 attack left Israel with little alternative. While Mamdani has repeatedly described the September 11 attacks as an act of terrorism—reaffirming that position again on Wednesday—some critics say they remain unconvinced about his broader views regarding Islamic terrorism.

The petition concludes by stating, “We respectfully ask that the organizers carefully consider whether Mr. Mamdani’s participation would align with the intention of the ceremony and the expectations of the families most directly affected by the tragedy.”

Among those who signed is Meryl Mayo-Marshall, whose husband, Robert Mayo, was killed during the attacks.

“I spoke with him that morning twice,” Mayo-Marshall told NewsNation’s “Morning in America.” “And I pleaded with him to please leave this space, and he said, ‘I can’t live with myself, I’m trained in evacuation and I have to stay and save as many lives as I can,’ and that’s what he did.”

In the days that followed, Mayo-Marshall provided DNA samples to investigators to assist in identifying her husband’s remains.

She said the pain of losing him has never faded despite years of trying to move forward.

“I’ve done everything I could to rebuild my life, but it feels like yesterday,” she said. “It’s still extremely painful, and I think what’s going on with certain people who represent others makes it harder.”

Mayo-Marshall said she would not object if Mamdani quietly attended the ceremony without taking part in the program. However, she said she would find it difficult to be present if he were scheduled to speak.

“I want it to be clear of the politics,” Mayo-Marshall said. “When I see the mayor it’s a trigger of those that he’s sympathetic to terrorists and prisoners. He appears to be disrespectful to law and order, especially NYPD.”

Despite the petition, Mamdani has made clear that he intends to participate in this year’s memorial observance.

Speaking Wednesday, the mayor reaffirmed his condemnation of the terrorists responsible for the attacks and said he plans to stand alongside victims’ families, survivors, and first responders during the ceremony.

“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 commemoration,” Mamdani said at a news conference. “Reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who calls this city home and, frankly, all of us who call this country home.”

For years, New York City’s annual 9/11 memorial has remained largely free of partisan politics, with mayors from both major parties participating in the observance. In 2024, the event drew national attention when President Joe Biden and Donald Trump stood side by side during the ceremony.

{Matzav.com}