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

New York City's 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is set to be a solemn occasion, but it has become embroiled in political controversy as retired Port Authority police officers have called on Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul to refrain from attending the Ground Zero ceremony. The officers argue that their presence would cause "deep pain" to victims' families, survivors, and first responders.

In a letter dated August 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, implored the two Democrats not to attend the ceremony at the site of the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history. "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 that 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 letter also expressed "profound concerns" about Mamdani's public statements, political associations, and positions, which the officers believe are inconsistent with the sacrifice of 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. The association also took issue with Hochul's decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month, calling the decision "insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront" to those who served at the World Trade Center, victims' families, survivors, and first responders.

Hochul's office pushed back on the retired officers' demand, stating that the governor "has enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11" and will "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 attendance at the 9/11 ceremony has sparked a broader debate about the role of politics in commemorating such a tragic event. Critics argue that the presence of political figures at the ceremony can detract from the solemnity of the occasion and overshadow the memories of those who lost their lives.

Supporters of Mamdani and Hochul, however, maintain that their presence is a testament to the resilience and unity of the city. They argue that the 9/11 attacks were an attack on all Americans, and that the ceremony is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of all those affected by the tragedy.

As the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, the nation prepares to remember the lives lost and the courage displayed in the aftermath of the attacks. Whether or not Mamdani and Hochul attend the Ground Zero ceremony, the memories of those who perished on that fateful day will remain etched in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere.