Families of 9/11 victims want to ban 'unwelcome' Zohran Mamdani from 25th anniversary ceremony

Families of those killed during the 9/11 terror attack have launched a petition demanding that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani be banned from the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero, labelling him "an apologist for Islamic terrorism".

The campaign, hosted on Change.org, has amassed more than 1,100 signatures within a week, with at least 300 said to be authenticated from victims' families.

Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace Catherine Galante was among the 2,977 people murdered by al-Qaeda, is among those spearheading the effort.

He told the New York Post: "Our objection is based on his public record - his failure to meaningfully acknowledge the horror of that day, and his employment of, support for, or association with individuals who have minimised 9/11, defended terrorists, or even suggested America 'deserved' the attacks."

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"This day is sacred to us," said the 55-year-old based in Florida, adding: "His presence would be deeply hurtful and inappropriate - like an unwelcome guest at a deeply personal ceremony."

The petition catalogues a series of concerns about Mayor Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, who has been in office since January.

Among them is his refusal to condemn the "globalise the intifada" rallying cry, and his association during last year's mayoral campaign with Imam Siraj Wahhaj - a Brooklyn cleric who was an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Petitioners also take issue with his appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city's chief counsel, noting Kassem previously defended al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Darbi - who admitted involvement in a 2002 plot to bomb a French oil tanker.

Further grievances include Mayor Mamdani's endorsement of Democratic Socialist of America member Aber Kawas for a state Senate seat, despite her having once characterised the September 11 attacks as something "a couple of people did."

Cheri Sparacio, another organiser whose husband Thomas died in the attacks, said there were "so many other examples" of why his attendance would be "disrespectful" that "we couldn't fit them on the list."

The Staten Island resident pointed to the mayor's longstanding ties to left-wing influencer Hasan Piker, who once said America "deserved" the 2001 attacks.

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Monica Iken-Murphy, whose husband Michael was killed, also signed the petition, but stressed her objection was not political.

She argued that only officials who had "been part of the healing process from the start" should attend the milestone ceremony.

"I don't want families to feel uncomfortable," she said.

A spokesman for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum said the organisation had "intentionally worked to keep the commemoration free of politics because remembering those we lost on 9/11 should never be a partisan issue."

Despite the growing campaign, Mayor Mamdani's spokesman Jeremy Edwards confirmed he has no intention of staying away.

He said: "Mayor Mamdani will proudly honour the families, survivors and first responders forever impacted by these devastating attacks by standing alongside them at this year's 9/11 Commemoration, reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who call this city home."

The petition organisers intend to lobby the New York City Council to support their cause, with Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola having already signalled her willingness to help.

She said: "This is a mayor who has endorsed candidates and has been endorsed by individuals who openly said that 'America deserved 9/11,' so I completely understand why families of those who lost loved ones would not want him there."

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