photo #9311831

Christina Aquayo News #new Families of 9/11 victims are demanding that Zohran Mamdani be banned from the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.#muslim They say him being there is an insult to the nearly 3,000 people m*rdered by al-Qaeda m*slim t*rrorists on September 11, 2001.#newyork A Change. org petition has been circulating and has collected thousands of signatures, many from the victim's families who say that Mamdani is inciting islamic violence, while refusing to acknowledge the tragedy and has close associations with people who have minimized the attacks. #islam They also say he has defended t*rroists and suggested that American deserved 9/11. Giovanni Galante, whose 29-year-old wife Grace Catherine Galante was killed in the attacks, is leading the effort. The Brooklyn-born real estate agent, now living in Florida, said, “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 t*rrorists, or even suggested America ‘deserved’ the attacks.” “This day is sacred to us. It is not political, and it is not a platform for those connected to such views. His presence would be deeply hurtful and inappropriate, like an unwelcome guest at a deeply personal ceremony.”Cheri Sparacio, whose 35-year-old husband Thomas was killed on 9/11, said there are “so many other examples” of why Mamdani’s attendance would be “disrespectful” that they could not all fit on the petition. Monica Iken-Murphy, whose 37-year-old husband Michael Iken was k*lled and who helped create the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, signed the petition and said the day should remain for families: “I don’t want families to feel uncomfortable. Others can come a different day, but let the families have their time.” She argued only officials involved in the healing process from the start, like former Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, should attend tThe petition specifically Details on the petition: 🔺️His refusal to condemn the “globalize the intifada” slogan, which calls for violence against Jews worldwide. 🔺️Mamdani has described it as reflecting a desire for Palestinian equality.🔺️His campaign appearance smiling with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing who once urged followers to engage in jihad and “march through the city of New York.”🔺️His appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief counsel. 🔺️Kassem has represented al-Qaeda t*rrorist Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty in a plot to bomb a French oil tanker, 🔺️And invited Mahmoud Khalil to his home for dinner, a key organizer of the 2024 Columbia University anti-Israel encampment.🔺️His endorsement of Democratic Socialist of America member Aber Kawas for state Senate, despite Kawas once describing 9/11 as something “a couple of people did” 🔺️He expressed sympathy for Ahmed Ferhani, who pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb a Manhattan synagogue.🔺️His endorsement of Darializa Avila Chevalier for Congress, whom he called the “perfect candidate” despite her past statements calling the U.S. “a f—ing disgrace” and admitting she used an American flag as a napkin.🔺️Past social media posts in which Mamdani appeared to defend al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who interacted with three of the 9/11 hijackers, and blamed America for radicalizing him.🔺️His father’s expressed sympathy for suicide bombers, and Mamdani’s own longtime ties to influencer Hasan Piker, who has said “America deserved” the 9/11 attacks.🔺️Mamdani’s framing of m*slims as the victims of 9/11 due to a supposed wave of “Islamophobia.”Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola said she is ready to help the families: “This is a mayor who has endorsed candidates and has been endorsed by individuals who openly said that ‘America deserved 9/11,’ so I completely understand why families of those who lost loved ones would not want him there.” 🔺️A spokesperson for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which organizes the ceremony, said the nonprofit “intentionally worked to keep the commemoration free of politics” and that officials from across the spectrum attend only to “bear witness” without speaking, remaining in a designated area. 🔺️Mamdani’s spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said the mayor still intends to attend: “Mayor Mamdani will proudly honor the families, survivors and first responders forever impacted by these devastating attacks by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 Commemoration, reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who call this city home.”Should a mayor who has alleged ties to t*rrorism, hangs out with t*rroists, aligns with people that say Americans deserved 9/11, appears to approve of Jihad be allowed to attend the memorial with families still grieving their m*rdered loved ones?#ChristinaAguayoNews