Left-wing children's influencer Ms. Rachel has defended New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani amid controversy over his planned attendance at the 9/11 memorial's 25th anniversary commemoration. Political tensions have intensified regarding Mamdani's participation due to past rhetoric and associations with individuals linked to terror sympathizers.
Rachel Accurso, known as Ms. Rachel, posted a statement on Instagram, asserting that Mayor Mamdani "is awesome" and "truly cares about New Yorkers." She described him as a "kind, gentle soul" and contrasted the adult criticism with the values of kindness and respect for different religions and cultures taught in New York's Pre-K curriculum. Accurso also expressed disappointment with "Christians expressing hate and Islamophobia," reminding readers of Jesus's Jewish heritage and the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Accurso's statement comes as an online petition, reportedly signed by over 100,000 people, urges Mamdani to skip the memorial events. The petition, initiated by family members of 9/11 victims, cites Mamdani's past praise for Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who has been associated with radical Islam and served as a character witness for the 'Blind Sheikh.' It also mentions Mamdani's endorsement of candidates like Aber Kawas, who reportedly described 9/11 as an act within the context of "US capitalism, racism, White supremacy, and Islamophobia," and expressed sympathy for an individual who pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb a Manhattan synagogue.
Mamdani and other socialist candidates have also faced scrutiny for their association with activist Hasan Piker, whose past comments suggesting the U.S. "deserved" the 9/11 attacks continue to draw criticism. Mamdani has publicly condemned these remarks.
Further controversy surrounds Mamdani's decision to give a ceremonial pen from a 9/11 remembrance ceremony to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty to war crime charges related to al Qaeda plots against commercial ships. Al-Darbi was also the brother-in-law of Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the hijackers on American Airlines Flight 77, which struck the Pentagon.
Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.