Retired Port Authority police officers are urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul to abstain from attending the 25th anniversary 9/11 commemoration at Ground Zero, asserting their presence would cause significant distress to victims' families, survivors, and first responders.
In separate letters dated Aug. 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, formally requested that both Democratic officials forgo the Sept. 11 ceremony. McDevitt stated that September 11 is a solemn day of remembrance, not a political event or a photo opportunity. He emphasized that 37 Port Authority police officers and 47 other Port Authority employees were killed in the 2001 attacks and that their memorial should not become a venue for political controversy.
The association expressed "profound concerns" regarding Mamdani's past public statements, political affiliations, and positions, which they believe are incongruent with the sacrifices made by victims and law enforcement. The retired officers stated that Mamdani's attendance would cause "deep pain" and could detract from honoring those affected by the attacks.
Mamdani's office has previously indicated his intention to attend the commemoration to "proudly honor" the families, survivors, and first responders. A petition initiated by Giovanni Galante, whose wife died in the attacks, is seeking to ban Mamdani from the ceremony and has garnered over 95,000 signatures. Galante stated the measures are to shield loved ones from individuals who oppose their way of life.
The retired officers also directed criticism at Governor Hochul regarding her decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month. While not objecting to the proclamation itself, the association took issue with using the World Trade Center site for the observance, deeming it "insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront" to those connected to the site. McDevitt wrote that this decision led the association to believe Hochul has "forfeited your right to stand alongside us at Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary."
Hochul's office responded by stating the governor "has enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11" and will "proudly stand alongside them at this year’s commemoration." A spokesperson for Hochul noted that Muslim New Yorkers served as first responders and helped unite the city post-9/11, adding that "The Governor knows we can respect these families while being clear that Islamophobia has no place in New York."
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has stated that the annual commemoration is kept free of politics, with government officials attending without delivering remarks and remaining in a designated area.