Retired Port Authority Officers Call for NYC Mayor and Governor to Skip Ground Zero’s 25th Anniversary 9/11 Ceremony

Retired Port Authority police officers have formally requested that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul refrain from attending the Sept. 11 ceremony marking 25 years since the terror attacks at Ground Zero. In separate letters dated Aug. 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, contended that their attendance would cause significant distress to victims’ families, survivors and first responders at the nation’s deadliest terrorist attack site.

McDevitt emphasized that the September 11 anniversary represents a solemn occasion for remembrance rather than a political event or opportunity for public relations. The Port Authority lost 37 police officers and 47 other staff members in the 2001 attacks, he noted, underscoring the personal stakes the organization has in maintaining the integrity of the ceremony.

The retired officers cited concerns about Mamdani’s public statements, political associations and positions, which they claim conflict with the values of those who died and responded on that day. McDevitt suggested that Mamdani could instead commemorate the anniversary through a written statement or separate event, rather than appearing at Ground Zero itself.

Hochul faced separate criticism over her decision to illuminate One World Trade Center during Muslim American Heritage Month. The retired officers characterized the decision as disrespectful to the site’s significance, describing it as “insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront” to those affected by the attacks.

Hochul’s office responded that the governor maintains deep respect for families who lost loved ones and will attend the commemoration. The statement noted that Muslim New Yorkers served as first responders following the attacks and called for recognizing both 9/11 victims and the need to combat Islamophobia.

Mamdani previously stated his intention to attend the ceremony and honor those affected by the terror attack. A petition seeking to bar him from the event has accumulated more than 95,000 signatures since its launch in July by Giovanni Galante, whose wife was killed in the attacks.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has stated that it maintains the annual commemoration free from political activity, requiring government officials who attend to remain in designated areas and refrain from delivering remarks.