Blakeman Calls for Protest at 9/11 Memorial Against NYC Mayor Mamdani

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate in New York’s gubernatorial race, urged attendees at the upcoming Sept. 11 memorial ceremony to turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he participates. Blakeman, who lost his nephew in the South Tower on Sept. 11, 2001, is currently the Nassau County executive.

Blakeman expressed that attending a memorial if not welcome is inappropriate, akin to attending a wake uninvited. He suggested a respectful protest, advising people to turn their backs on Mamdani.

Criticism of Mamdani

Blakeman criticized Mamdani for not condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada,” viewing it as grounds to disqualify him from attending the memorial. Blakeman believes Mamdani’s stance conflicts with the memory of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

While Mamdani’s office did not immediately comment, the mayor plans to attend the ceremony to honor the families, survivors, and first responders affected by the terror attack.

Petition Against Mamdani

Relatives of Sept. 11 victims have launched a petition to prevent Mamdani from attending the 25th-anniversary ceremony. Their concerns involve his public positions and associations, which they perceive as hostile to the ceremony’s values.

The petition urges organizers to consider if Mamdani’s participation aligns with the ceremony’s intentions and expectations of affected families.

Rhetoric and Responses

Jewish leaders have previously criticized Mamdani’s rhetoric, including linking it to ongoing hate crime investigations. Despite the petition and protests, Mamdani remains firm in his decision to attend the memorial.

Apart from Politics

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum aims to keep the memorial free of political influence. A spokesperson noted that government officials traditionally attend to bear witness rather than deliver speeches, remaining in designated areas.

Former New York Gov. George Pataki expressed reservations on Mamdani’s attendance, hinting that the unique nature of Sept. 11 might warrant exclusion.