Republican candidate for New York governor, Bruce Blakeman, has called for attendees at the upcoming 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony to turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he attends.
Blakeman, who is also the Nassau County executive, stated that Mamdani is not welcome at the ceremony due to his public record and an alleged minimization of the 9/11 attacks. Blakeman specifically cited Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," which Blakeman believes is connected to the reasons behind the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy.
"I would equate this to a wake. You don't go to a wake if you're not welcome," Blakeman said Wednesday, according to Fox News. "I think it's completely appropriate if family members ask him not to come, but if he does come, I think there's a respectful and peaceful way to protest that and I would suggest that people turn their back on the mayor."
Blakeman's nephew was killed in the South Tower on Sept. 11, 2001. He suggested this silent protest as a respectful way for attendees to express their opposition.
Mamdani's office stated that the mayor plans to attend the ceremony. "I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year's 9/11 commemoration — reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day..." Mamdani said in a statement.
The controversy follows a petition initiated by relatives of Sept. 11 victims urging the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to bar Mamdani. The petition cites concerns about "Mr. Mamdani's public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric that many perceive as hostile to these shared values."
A spokesperson for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum previously told Fox News Digital that the organization strives to keep the commemoration apolitical. "Government officials from across the political spectrum... have attended the ceremony simply to bear witness — they do not deliver remarks and are asked to remain in a designated area," the spokesperson said.
Former New York Governor George Pataki commented on the situation, noting that while his instinct is to be inclusive, "Sept. 11 is different."
Blakeman, who has secured former President Donald Trump's endorsement in his gubernatorial campaign against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, emphasized that Mamdani has yet to oppose the "global intifada" phrase.
Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding Blakeman's remarks.
The 25th-anniversary ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lower Manhattan.
