Republican gubernatorial candidate calls for turning backs on NYC mayor at 9/11 memorial ceremony

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for New York governor, called Wednesday for spectators at this year’s Sept. 11 commemoration to turn away from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani should he attend the event. Blakeman, who lost a nephew in the South Tower attack on Sept. 11, 2001, and currently serves as Nassau County executive, made the remarks to assembled media.

“I would equate this to a wake. You don’t go to a wake if you’re not welcome,” Blakeman said. He characterized a turning of backs as “a respectful and peaceful way to protest,” while noting that families would be within their rights to request the mayor’s absence from the ceremony.

Blakeman’s criticism centers on what he views as Mamdani’s insufficient condemnation of the phrase “globalize the intifada.” The candidate contended this stance disqualifies the mayor from participating in observances marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The mayor’s office did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital. However, Mamdani previously stated his intention to attend, pledging to “proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack.”

Mamdani’s participation has sparked controversy among 9/11 families, who launched a Change.org petition requesting that the National September 11 Memorial & Museum exclude him from the ceremony in Lower Manhattan. The petition references concerns about his “public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric that many perceive as hostile to these shared values.”

A spokesperson for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum stated the organization has “intentionally worked to keep the commemoration free of politics” and noted that government officials from across the political spectrum traditionally attend without delivering remarks.

Former New York Governor George Pataki acknowledged Wednesday that while his preference ordinarily leans toward inclusion, Sept. 11 presents “different” circumstances that merit reconsideration of that principle, according to the New York Post.