Mamdani urged to skip 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial

"Do not attend the 25th Anniversary memorial ceremony," wrote Port Authority Retired Police Association President John McDevitt to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a letter dated August 14.

In the letter, McDevitt requests that Mamdani not attend the 25th anniversary memorial for the victims of the September 11 attacks, regardless of Mamdani's position as Mayor of New York. McDevitt says that Mamdani's views and positions risk taking the spotlight away from the victims and their families.

"We strongly object to YOUR attendance at this year's ceremony," read the letter. "We have profound concerns about your public statements, political associations, and positions that, in our view, are inconsistent with the sacrifice of the victims and the law-enforcement officers who died while protecting others."

McDevitt adds that they are particularly troubled by Mamdani's rhetoric and affiliations with groups or individuals who are "antagonistic toward the United States and the men and women who protect it."

"The Port Authority Police Department suffered the largest loss of police officers in a single incident in the history of American policing." He continued, "Thirty-seven of our brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice. Their memorial should not become the center of political controversy."

McDevitt rounds off the letter by asking Mamdani to think of the victims, survivors, and their families and let them "remember in peace."

If Mamdani does not attend, he would be the first mayor since the attacks not to attend the annual memorial. Mamdani is expected to attend the ceremony.

President Donald Trump is expected to give a speech at the Pentagon, which also targeted in the September 11 attacks.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum announced that all elected officials of both parties were always welcome at the memorial.