As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, a growing number of families of the victims are urging New York City’s mayor, Mamdani, not to attend the commemorative ceremony at the World Trade Center site. The call comes amid concerns over Mamdani’s political affiliations and public statements, which some family members say conflict with the solemn nature of the event.

Monica Iken, whose husband Michael Patrick Iken was killed in the South Tower on September 11, 2001, expressed pain and frustration over the controversy. The newlywed couple had parted on the morning of the attacks, with Michael heading to his office in the World Trade Center. Monica vividly recalls watching live as a second plane struck the South Tower, knowing her husband worked on the 84th floor of that building. She has no remains or personal belongings of Michael, and after the attacks, she founded September’s Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the World Trade Center site as a memorial space, ensuring it remains untouched by development.

While Monica affirms her commitment to honoring victims and their families, she voiced unease about Mamdani’s attendance. She said that although the mayor has not explicitly taken part in violence, his associations and public positions have raised suspicions among 9/11 families, some of whom see his presence as disruptive during their time of mourning.

Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace Catherine died in the 2001 attacks, also opposes the mayor’s participation. Galante, a Florida real estate agent who helped launch a petition urging Mamdani to stay away from the events, described the mayor’s presence as “a slap in the face.” He cited Mamdani’s perceived reluctance to condemn extremist rhetoric and his associations with individuals linked to radical or extremist causes, including Imam Siraj Wahhaj—a figure named an alleged co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing—and the appointment of legal counsel Ramzi Kassem, who previously represented a convicted al-Qaeda operative.

The petition, which gathered over 93,000 signatures within a month, highlights concerns about Mamdani’s father's writings that attempted to contextualize suicide bombings as political violence and notes the mayor’s refusal to explicitly denounce certain violent slogans. Family members maintain that these associations undermine the respect due to victims and survivors during the ceremony.

Mamdani acknowledged the petition but said he will attend the Ground Zero commemoration to "proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders" impacted by the attacks. He emphasized unity, stating the day is significant not only for New Yorkers but for all Americans.

Some advocates warn that the debate risks overshadowing the memorial’s intent as a space for peace and mourning. Monica Iken expressed concern that Mamdani’s presence could deepen divisions and heighten tensions among families, detracting from their ability to grieve. She appealed to the mayor to “let us have our peace” by respecting the wishes of the families and refraining from attending if it would cause upset.

The debate has also drawn public commentary from the US Catholic League’s president, Bill Donohue, who called on Mamdani to skip the event to avoid further division. Donohue noted Mamdani’s absence from previous occasions such as Veterans Day and Israel Day parades as part of a broader pattern.

For the families, the memorial is considered sacred ground—hallowed by loss and memory—and many feel the day should be free from political controversy. As the anniversary draws near, families are urging all involved to prioritize healing and remembrance over conflict.