Relatives of those lost on 9/11 have started a petition urging event organizers to keep New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani out of the 25th anniversary memorial ceremonies. The request stems from his links to extremist views and his unwillingness to denounce antisemitism.

Florida realtor Giovanni Galante, whose girlfriend died in the al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, created the petition. It has collected more than 5,000 signatures so far.

The document highlights worries over Mamdani's public stances, connections, and reactions to statements seen as opposed to core American principles.

One key issue is his hesitation to reject calls to "globalize the intifada," which many view as support for violence, according to the petition.

It also points to Mamdani's backing of or links to figures whose comments appear to downplay American institutions or fail to strongly oppose radical ideologies.

Core reasons cited against Mamdani's role

The petition references a book written by Mamdani's father soon after 9/11 that described suicide bombers as a normal part of political conflict instead of an act of barbarism. Mamdani has noted his father's strong influence on his own thinking.

Mamdani has spoken positively about Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, listed as an alleged co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and a character witness for the Blind Sheikh convicted in 1995 of planning attacks on the United States.

More recently, Mamdani named Ramzi Kassem, who once represented Ahmed al-Darbi in an al-Qaeda tanker bombing case, as New York City's chief counsel.

The mayor also backed candidates like Aber Kawas, who framed 9/11 as an act tied to US capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia, and who showed sympathy for Ahmed Ferhani after his guilty plea in a plot to bomb a Manhattan synagogue.

Galante wrote that for 9/11 families the day is a personal time of grief, not just a public event. Including people whose statements or ties clash with the ceremony's purpose could shift attention and add to the hurt.

The petition asks organizers to weigh whether Mamdani's presence fits the goals of remembrance and the wishes of those most affected by the attacks.

The 25th anniversary should focus on memory, unity, and a clear stand against the violence and extremism of that day, the document states. All participants must reflect those values to keep the event meaningful.

Survivors share their views

Multiple 9/11 survivors have voiced support for the petition. Craig, a WTC attack survivor, said Mamdani's record on Israel and radical Islamic terrorism means he should be kept from all memorial events at the site.

Silverio noted the many tears shed on that day and questioned Mamdani's own reasons for crying, pointing to his aunt avoiding the subway after the attacks due to concerns over her hijab.

Justin, who watched the events while on active duty and later deployed to Afghanistan, called it an insult to the memory of those lost to allow anyone who has supported such death cults a platform at the ceremony. He expressed shame toward those forcing families to object to certain attendees.

Brian, whose brother David died on 9/11, said he is outraged that a person who excuses terrorists now serves as mayor and openly sympathizes with perpetrators. He stated Mamdani should be barred from the remembrance event.

The Post contacted Galante for further comment.