Retired Port Authority police officers are calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to stay away from the upcoming 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 attacks at Ground Zero, warning that his presence could cause "deep pain" to survivors, first responders and victims' families.

In an Aug. 14 letter to Mamdani cited on the weekend by Fox News, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, asked the mayor not to attend the Sept. 11 ceremony at the World Trade Center site.

"For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials," McDevitt wrote to Mamdani. "It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who were murdered, those who responded, those who survived, and the families who have carried these losses for twenty-five years."

The association emphasized the personal connection its members have to the World Trade Center, describing it as "our home." A total of 37 Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the Port Authority family were killed in the attacks.

"Thirty-seven of our brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice," McDevitt wrote. "Their memorial should not become the center of political controversy."

The retired officers said they have "profound concerns" about Mamdani's public comments, political affiliations and positions, arguing that they conflict with the sacrifices made by the victims and law enforcement personnel who responded to the attacks.

"We believe your presence at Ground Zero on this 25th anniversary would cause deep pain to many members of the 9/11 community," McDevitt wrote. "It also risks shifting attention away from the people whose lives, courage, and sacrifice the ceremony exists to honor."

McDevitt proposed that Mamdani mark the anniversary through a written statement, public remarks or a separate event rather than attending the Ground Zero ceremony.

"This is our day to remember," he wrote. "Please allow us to remember in peace."

Mamdani has previously said that he intends to attend the commemoration and "proudly honor" the families, survivors and first responders whose lives were forever changed by the attacks.

The officers' appeal comes after a petition seeking to prevent Mamdani from attending the ceremony surpassed 95,000 signatures. The petition was launched in July by Giovanni Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.

The petition lists a series of objections to Mamdani, who became New York City's first Muslim mayor after taking office in January. Among them is his refusal to condemn the slogan "globalize the intifada."

It also cites his campaign appearance with Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, described in the petition as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing who previously advocated for gun-free jihad.

Other grievances include Mamdani's appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city's chief counsel. Kassem has represented Al-Qaeda convict Ahmed al-Darbi and radical organizer Mahmoud Khalil.

The petition also points to Mamdani's endorsement of state Senate candidate Aber Kawas, who previously referred to 9/11 as an event that “a couple of people did" and expressed support for convicted plot suspect Ahmed Ferhani.

It further cites Mamdani's political support for congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who previously called the United States “a f-ing disgrace" and described using an American flag as a napkin.

The petition also highlights social media posts from 2015 in which Mamdani defended Al-Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki and blamed American policy for al-Awlaki's radicalization.

Additionally, it references statements by Mamdani's father, Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, that have been described as sympathetic toward suicide bombers.

Judea Pearl, whose son, journalist Daniel Pearl, was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002, voiced support for the petition.

Pearl wrote on social media: "My late son, Daniel, is not a direct victim of 9/11, yet he was murdered by Khalid Sheik Mohammad (KSM), the 9/11 architect. I wish I could join the petition to bar Mayor Mamdani from the memorial -- his anti-American ideology differs little from that of KSM's."