Retired Port Authority police officers are urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to stay away from the upcoming 9/11 anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero, saying their presence could cause additional pain for victims’ families and survivors.
The Port Authority Retired Police Association sent letters to both political leaders ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Association President John McDevitt described the ceremony as a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering those who died, rather than a political event or photo opportunity.
Retired Officers Question Mamdani’s Role at Ground Zero
The retired officers specifically criticized Mamdani, who has said he intends to attend the commemoration.
Their concerns center on statements and political positions associated with the Democratic mayor. The association argued that his participation could shift attention away from the victims and first responders being honored.
The retirees pointed to the Port Authority's own losses on Sept. 11. Thirty-seven Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the agency's family were killed in the attacks, according to the association.
The group suggested that Mamdani could instead issue a written statement or participate in a separate event.
Hochul Also Faces Criticism From 9/11 Retirees
Hochul has also drawn criticism from the retired officers.
The association cited her decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month as an example of what it considers insensitive treatment of a site associated with the Sept. 11 attacks.
McDevitt wrote that the association believes Hochul has “forfeited” the right to stand at Ground Zero during the anniversary ceremony. That statement reflects the retirees’ position and does not represent an official determination regarding who may attend the commemoration.
Hochul’s office has rejected the criticism and said the governor respects the families who lost loved ones. Her office also emphasized the contributions of Muslim New Yorkers, including first responders, following the attacks.
9/11 Families Have Also Raised Concerns
The dispute comes as some relatives of Sept. 11 victims have separately called on Mamdani to reconsider attending the ceremony.
A petition seeking to prevent the mayor from participating reportedly collected more than 95,000 signatures. The petition was launched by Giovanni Galante, whose wife was killed in the attacks.
The controversy has placed additional attention on the traditional Ground Zero commemoration, where families gather each year to read the names of those who died.
For many survivors and relatives, the anniversary remains deeply personal, making questions surrounding political participation particularly sensitive.
Ground Zero Remains Focus of 9/11 Remembrance
The Sept. 11 anniversary will mark 25 years since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 was brought down in Pennsylvania.
The Port Authority Police Department suffered some of the heaviest losses among local agencies responding to the World Trade Center. Retired officers say preserving the solemn character of the ceremony should remain the priority.
Hochul has indicated that she plans to attend, while Mamdani has also said he intends to participate.
The disagreement over their attendance highlights the continuing tension between public officials’ roles in commemorating historic tragedies and the wishes of some survivors, families and first responders who regard Ground Zero as sacred ground.
As the anniversary approaches, the debate is likely to continue, but the ceremony itself will remain centered on remembering the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.
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