A group of relatives of victims killed in the 11 September 2001, attacks have launched a petition calling for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to be barred from attending the 25th anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero, arguing that his presence would be inappropriate at the solemn event.
Organisers of the event say the petition has gathered more than 1,100 signatures, including around 300 from relatives of 9/11 victims.
The petition urges the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to prevent Mamdani from attending the annual ceremony and describes the mayor as an "unwelcome guest."
Organisers say their opposition stems from Mamdani's public statements and political positions, which they argue have alienated many members of New York's Jewish community. They contend that the Ground Zero anniversary should remain focused on honouring the victims, survivors and first responders of the 11 September attacks.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum said the annual commemoration is a nonpartisan event dedicated to remembering those killed in the attacks.
The organisation said public officials from different political parties have traditionally attended the ceremony as observers, while the programme itself remains centred on victims' families and remembrance.
Mamdani's office has said the mayor still intends to attend the ceremony, saying he plans to honour the victims, survivors and first responders on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
The petition comes amid heightened political tensions in New York, where Mamdani has faced criticism from some groups over his views on Israel and the war in Gaza. Supporters of the mayor have defended his record and rejected calls for his exclusion from the annual memorial event.
The 25th anniversary ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial is expected to bring together victims' families, survivors, first responders and elected officials to mark a quarter-century since the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
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