Retired Port Authority police officers have formally requested that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul refrain from attending the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero on September 11, warning their presence would cause 'deep pain' to victims' families, survivors, and first responders.
In letters dated August 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, urged both officials to avoid the ceremony, emphasizing that September 11 is 'a solemn day of remembrance' rather than a political event. McDevitt stated the World Trade Center was 'our home,' noting 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 association raised 'profound concerns' about Mamdani’s public statements, political associations, and positions, asserting they are inconsistent with the sacrifices of victims and law enforcement. The letter did not specify which statements or positions were cited as problematic.
Hochul’s office has not publicly responded to the request. Mamdani’s office declined to comment on the letters, though the mayor has previously faced criticism from law enforcement groups over his public remarks and policy positions.
The Port Authority Retired Police Association represents former officers who served at the World Trade Center and other Port Authority facilities. The group’s demands follow a petition organized by 9/11 family members, including Giovanni Galante, who lost his wife Grace in the attacks. The petition calls for Mamdani’s exclusion from the ceremony, citing his public record and alleged minimization of the 9/11 attacks.
Republican senators have publicly supported the calls to bar Mamdani from the event, with some labeling him a 'disgrace.' Mamdani has previously been booed off stage at a pro-police event in New York City, where attendees criticized his attendance.
The 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero is expected to draw thousands of attendees, including victims' families, first responders, and political leaders. The event organizers have not indicated whether Mamdani or Hochul have been invited or whether their attendance has been confirmed.
Background: The Role of Ground Zero in 9/11 Remembrance
The World Trade Center site remains a focal point for national mourning and commemoration. The attacks killed 2,753 people at the towers, with an additional 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers among the first responders who died. The Port Authority Police Department lost 37 officers in the attacks, the largest loss of life for any law enforcement agency that day.
Port Authority Retirees’ Stance
The association’s letter to Mamdani and Hochul reflects broader tensions between progressive political figures and law enforcement groups in New York. The retirees argue that the ceremony should remain apolitical, focusing solely on honoring those who perished and the survivors who endured lasting physical and emotional trauma.
Political Reactions
While Republican senators have rallied behind the retirees’ demands, no official action has been taken to prevent Mamdani or Hochul from attending. Hochul, a Democrat, has not publicly addressed the controversy, and Mamdani’s office has not indicated whether he intends to participate in the ceremony.
The Port Authority Retired Police Association did not respond to requests for further comment on whether they would escalate their opposition if either official attends the event.