Overview
- Bruce Blakeman told reporters in Albany Wednesday that people at the 9/11 ceremony should peacefully turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he attends.
- Blakeman and petitioning relatives say Mamdani's past responses and his refusal to condemn slogans like “globalize the intifada” make him unwelcome at a solemn memorial.
- Mamdani has said he will attend to honor victims, survivors, and first responders, while a Change.org petition from relatives has gathered tens of thousands of signatures asking the memorial to bar him.
- The National September 11 Memorial & Museum says it keeps the ceremony apolitical, seats elected officials as silent witnesses, and does not allow public remarks from officials.
- Former governor George Pataki voiced 'grave concerns' about Mamdani's comments, and the dispute could draw sustained political attention that alters how families and survivors experience the 25th anniversary.