Mayor Zohran Mamdani calls 9/11 attacks the ‘horrific act of terror’, attends Ground Zero Ceremony despite ban petition

Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a lengthy video message on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He also joined several politicians, mourners and survivors at Lower Manhattan event despite calls for a ban.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani paid a moving tribute to those who lost their lives and were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Taking to social media, he shared a video message and called the attacks a 'horrific act of terror'.

Zohran Mamdani on 9/11 victims

"September 11th was a horrific act of terror. A day of immeasurable loss. 2,753 parents and children, husbands and wives, friends and colleagues. 2,753 universes gone in an instant," Mamdani, 34, said while he sat at a desk outdoors, with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

In the video, the New York City Mayor said, “And in the years since, thousands more have died from illness caused by the toxic air they breathed, in the months they spent working on the pile.”

Quick answers to key questions

•5

QUESTIONS

Mayor Zohran Mamdani referred to the September 11 attacks as a 'horrific act of terror' and expressed the immeasurable loss experienced on that day. He shared a tribute video emphasizing the lives that were lost and the ongoing effects of the attacks.

Mayor Mamdani highlighted the bravery of New Yorkers who donated blood, opened their homes to others, and assisted colleagues during the crisis, stating that these acts showcased the spirit of community in the face of darkness.

The 25th anniversary was marked by a ceremony at Ground Zero where survivors, mourners, and politicians gathered. Family members read the names of the 2,983 victims, and moments of silence were observed at specific times related to the attacks.

The petition, which garnered thousands of signatures, aimed to ban Mayor Mamdani from attending due to concerns over his public record and associations with individuals who allegedly minimized the significance of the 9/11 attacks.

Mamdani referenced the tragic loss of 2,753 individuals, emphasizing the profound impact on families, including parents, children, and friends, as well as the subsequent deaths caused by illnesses related to the toxic air at Ground Zero.

How New Yorkers responded on the darkest day

Mamdani called 9/11 the "darkest day" in the history of New York, adding, "We also remember what so many New Yorkers did in that darkness."

"We remember the thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers who lined up for hours to donate blood. We remember the people who opened their homes to those who could not get home," he continued.

"We remember the workers who carried their colleagues down hundreds of stairs, then turned around and went back up to find someone else who needed help."

"25 years later, we have a sacred obligation to those who were stolen from us. To care for one another how they cared for strangers," the politician also said.

"To live lives worthy of the sacrifices they made and to build a city worthy of their courage. A city where we run toward one another. That is how we remember," he concluded.

Ground Zero Ceremony

On this day, mourners, survivors and fellow citizen gathered around the twin waterfall pools that mark the footprints of the two towers in Lower Manhattan on the somber day.

They were joined by several politicians, including Vice President JD Vance, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg on the remembrance day. Former US presidents were also in attendance, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton.

Continuing the tradition, family members read out the names of the 2,983 people who were killed on the tragic day as well as the Feb. 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing.

Beginning at 8:46 am, six moments of silence were observed at the times when each of the towers was struck, when each fell, when the Pentagon was attacked and when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.

The viral petition against Mamdani

Mamdani attended the event despite the viral petition. According to multiple US media outlets, a petition with thousands of signatures, surfaced, aiming to ban him from attending the ceremony.

One of the organizers of the petition, Giovanni Galante had told the New York Post earlier, "Our objection is based on his public record — his failure to meaningfully acknowledge the horror of that day, and his employment of, support for, or association with individuals who have minimized 9/11, defended terrorists, or even suggested America 'deserved' the attacks."

About the Author

Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.

Stay updated with the latest Trending, India, World and US news.

HomeNewsUs NewsMayor Zohran Mamdani calls 9/11 attacks the ‘horrific act of terror’, attends Ground Zero Ceremony despite ban petition