Zohran Mamdani is facing a growing push to keep him out of the 25th anniversary 9/11 commemoration at Ground Zero, after families of victims launched a petition asking organizers to block the New York City mayor from the ceremony. Republican senators on Capitol Hill backed the effort, sharpening an already bitter fight over who should be allowed to take part in one of the nation’s most solemn memorial events.
The online petition asks the National September 11 Memorial & Museum not to include Mamdani in the anniversary observance honoring those killed in the terror attacks 25 years ago. It cites eight concerns, including claims that he has not directly condemned the phrase “globalize the intifada,” that he has associated with extremist and anti-American figures, and that his views reflect those of his father, who called for destigmatizing suicide bombers and compared the United States with al-Qaeda. The petition also raises claims that Mamdani has praised and appointed people tied to radical Islam, blamed the United States for the radicalization of al-Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki, and endorsed democratic socialist Darializa Aria Chevalier.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., responded with biting sarcasm, saying it might be fitting if Mamdani attended “while wearing a paper bag over his head.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said, “I mean I can’t defend anything that guy says or does.” Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., argued that Mamdani’s views on America differ sharply from those of the families pressing for his exclusion. Sheehy went further, saying Mamdani has “platformed Islamic extremism” and “openly supports Hamas,” adding that the group is central to the wider network of extremist movements he was discussing. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., also said she understood why families would object, calling some of Mamdani’s remarks “pretty disgusting.”
