Full Breakdown
Retired Port Authority Officers and 9/11 Families Urge Mayor Mamdani and Gov. Hochul to Skip Ground Zero Ceremony
8/30/2026, 9:17:47 PM
Core Event – Demand to Exclude Officials from the 25th-Anniversary Ceremony
In mid-August, the Port Authority Retired Police Association sent letters to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul urging them not to attend the 25th-anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero. The association says the officials’ presence would “cause deep pain” to victims’ families, survivors and first responders and would turn a solemn remembrance into a political platform. A petition launched in July by Giovanni Galante, whose wife Grace Catherine Galante died in the attacks, has gathered tens of thousands of signatures calling for the officials to be barred.
Background & Context – 9/11 Remembrance and Recent Controversies
The 25th anniversary marks a quarter-century since the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The ceremony is intended to remain “free of politics,” according to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Controversy resurfaced after Governor Hochul illuminated One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month, which retired officers described as “tone-deaf” and an “affront” to those who served at the site.
Data & Statistics – Losses and Petition Support
- The association notes that 37 Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the Port Authority family were killed on September 11, 2001.
- The petition against the officials’ attendance has been reported with more than 95,000 signatures in one source and 93,000 in another, indicating a discrepancy in the exact count.
Official Statements & Responses – Positions of Hochul, Mamdani, and the Memorial
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum reiterated that officials who attend do not deliver remarks and remain in designated areas to keep the event non-political.
Criticism & Opposition – Voices of Retired Officers, Families, and Religious Leaders
President John McDevitt of the retired police association condemned the officials’ planned attendance, citing the mayor’s “Israel-bashing rhetoric” and perceived “sympathetic” stance toward anti-American movements. Bill Donohue, president of the U.S. Catholic League, wrote an open letter respectfully requesting that the mayor not attend, noting the mayor’s prior absences from Veterans Day and Israel Day parades.
On-the-Ground Report – Widow’s Perspective and Ongoing Advocacy
Monica Iken, whose husband Michael Patrick Iken was killed in the South Tower, founded the nonprofit September’s Mission to protect the World Trade Center site from future development. She and other advocates have secured half of the 16-acre former complex for the memorial. Iken says the site is “a sacred and hallowed space” and worries that the mayor’s attendance could “stress” families and “addle” their grief, urging officials to respect the families’ wish for a peaceful remembrance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Petition Signature Count Discrepancy
Two sources provide different totals for the petition’s support: one cites more than 95,000 signatures, while another reports 93,000 signatures. The exact number remains unclear, highlighting a gap in publicly verified data.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials,” — John McDevitt
- “We believe your presence at Ground Zero on this 25th anniversary would cause deep pain to many members of the 9/11 community,” — John McDevitt
- “Speaking as the husband of Grace Catherine Galante, we are taking measures to shield our loved ones by barring anyone who opposes our way of life from the ceremony,” — Giovanni Galante
