Mamdani releases video statement ahead of controversial 9/11 ceremony appearance – One America News Network

September 11, 2026 Sophia Flores US 0

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, center, walks into the memorial before a ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum on September 11, 2026, in New York City. The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when a group of al-Qaeda hijackers flew airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Adam Gray - Pool/Getty Images) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, center, walks into the memorial before a ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum on September 11, 2026, in New York City. The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when a group of al-Qaeda hijackers flew airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Adam Gray – Pool/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Sophia Flores
5:37 AM – Friday, September 11, 2026

Ahead of the Ground Zero commemoration marking the 25^th anniversary of September 11^th, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released an 80 second video calling the tragedy a “day of immeasurable loss” and the “darkest day” in the city’s history.

25 years ago, terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people, including 2,753 New Yorkers.

As we remember that terrible day, let us also remember the first responders, office workers and strangers who ran toward danger to help each other. Let us remember the extraordinary compassion,… pic.twitter.com/AO4RFEOZA2

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) September 11, 2026

His scheduled appearance at the event comes amid mounting resistance from victims’ families and political opponents. A petition with over 110,000 signatures calls on the Democrat to abstain from attending the annual memorial service at Ground Zero, pointing to his decision to appoint Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief legal counsel.

Kassem’s past defense of convicted al-Qaeda operative Ahmed al-Darbi has drawn sharp backlash from family groups, who argue that his presence compromises the solemn purpose of the memorial service.

“For 9/11 families, this is not simply a public ceremony—it is a deeply personal day of mourning. The presence of individuals whose words or associations are perceived as conflicting with the solemn purpose of the event risks detracting from that focus and causing additional pain,” the petition reads.

“The 25^th anniversary should remain centered on remembrance, unity, and an unambiguous rejection of the violence and extremism that defined that day,” it continues. “Ensuring that all participants reflect these principles is essential to preserving the integrity of the commemoration.”

Tensions escalated further after Mamdani gifted Kassem a ceremonial pen previously used to sign 9/11 related executive measures — a gesture critics view as insensitive to grieving families.

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