Retired Port Authority Officers Urge NYC Mayor and Governor to Stay Away from 9/11 Commemoration

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have been called upon by retired Port Authority officers to refrain from attending the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Ground Zero. The request stems from concerns that their presence would cause "deep pain" to the families of victims, survivors, and first responders.

In a letter dated August 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, expressed his organization's profound disapproval of the two officials' planned attendance at the solemn ceremony. "For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials," McDevitt wrote to Mamdani. "It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who were murdered, those who responded, those who survived, and the families who have carried these losses for twenty-five years."

The retired officers emphasized the significance of Ground Zero, which they referred to as "our home." They noted that 37 Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the Port Authority family were killed in the 2001 attacks. "Thirty-seven of our brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice," McDevitt wrote. "Their memorial should not become the center of political controversy."

The letter also addressed concerns regarding Mamdani's public statements, political associations, and positions, which the retired officers believe are inconsistent with the sacrifices made by victims and law enforcement officers. "We believe your presence at Ground Zero on this 25th anniversary would cause deep pain to many members of the 9/11 community," McDevitt wrote. "It also risks shifting attention away from the people whose lives, courage, and sacrifice the ceremony exists to honor."

McDevitt suggested that Mamdani could instead recognize the anniversary through a written statement, public message, or a separate event. "This is our day to remember," he wrote. "Please allow us to remember in peace."

The association also took issue with Hochul's decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month, which they described as "insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront" to those who served at the World Trade Center, victims' families, survivors, and first responders. "Because of that decision, we believe that you have forfeited your right to stand alongside us at Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary," McDevitt wrote to Hochul.

In response to the retired officers' demand, Hochul's office issued a statement to Fox News Digital, affirming the governor's "enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11" and her intention to "proudly stand alongside them at this year's commemoration." A spokesperson added that Muslim New Yorkers "served as first responders and helped unite the city in the aftermath of the attacks."

The controversy surrounding Mamdani and Hochul's planned attendance at the 9/11 anniversary ceremony has reignited debates about the appropriate role of public officials in commemorating national tragedies. Critics argue that their presence could be seen as a political maneuver that detracts from the solemnity of the occasion, while supporters maintain that they have the right to participate in the ceremony as public servants.

As the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, the nation prepares to honor the memories of those who lost their lives and the bravery of those who responded to the tragedy. The ongoing debate about the appropriateness of political figures at the ceremony serves as a reminder of the complex nature of public remembrance and the challenges of navigating the intersection of politics and tragedy.