Several families of victims who perished on September 11, 2001, have expressed strong opposition to New York City Mayor Hassan Mamdani attending the upcoming 25th anniversary commemoration of the attacks. The families have voiced their concerns primarily due to Mamdani’s political associations, which they say conflict with the solemnity of the event.

Jeannette Puccio-Pick, whose father Joseph Pick worked on the 94th floor of the South Tower and died in the attacks, recalled watching the collapse of her father’s office building while attending school in nearby Hoboken. She said Mamdani’s public link to controversial figures, such as Twitch streamer Hasan Piker—who reportedly stated in 2019 that America “deserved 9/11”—makes the mayor’s presence inappropriate. “The families just want one day to themselves,” Puccio-Pick stated, emphasizing that the anniversary should be reserved for remembrance without political controversy.

Similarly, Denise and Walter P. Matuza spoke about the lasting impact of losing Walter Matuza Jr., an analyst at Carr Futures who worked on the 92nd floor of the North Tower. Denise described the emotional toll on their family, including their son who suffered blindness as a result of the trauma. Both underscored that the anniversary is “our gravesite” and should focus on honoring the victims without political distractions. Their son echoed this sentiment, indicating that political figures are welcome only if they show genuine respect, which he questions in Mamdani’s case due to his affiliations.

Cheri Sparacio, whose husband Thomas Sparacio was a currency trader on the 84th floor of the South Tower, is one of the organizers behind a petition opposing the mayor’s attendance. She noted that the petition includes numerous reasons why Mamdani’s participation would be “disrespectful,” stressing the importance of acknowledging the tragedy without excuses or contentious political connections.

Morton Weinberg, father of Michael Thomas Weinberg, a firefighter who died while responding to the attacks at Ground Zero, also plans to support the petition. He described his son as a multifaceted individual whose foremost commitment was to public service. Weinberg criticized the mayor, stating, “I don’t like Mamdani, he’s screwing up the city,” reflecting the deep frustration some families feel regarding the mayor’s involvement in the anniversary events.

The opposition from victims' families highlights the sensitive nature surrounding the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the challenges in balancing remembrance with ongoing political discourse. As the city prepares for this milestone, the debate over Mayor Mamdani’s role remains unresolved, underscoring the enduring impact of the tragedy on survivors and loved ones.