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Mayor Mamdani says he'll attend 9/11 ceremony despite growing criticism
ABC7 New York • • nation
Key Points:
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to attend the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony despite criticism from some victims' families and prominent Republicans over his appointment of Ramzi Kassem as chief legal counsel.
- Critics oppose Kassem due to his past legal defense of a convicted al Qaeda member linked to the 9/11 attacks, leading to a petition with nearly 100,000 signatures urging Mamdani to skip the event.
- Mamdani has defended his commitment to honoring 9/11 victims, recently signing executive orders establishing a citywide day of remembrance and modernizing emergency preparedness, with Kassem present at the signing.
- Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized Mamdani's attendance, making controversial claims about the mayor's views on the attacks, which some have labeled as anti-Muslim rhetoric.
- Security measures are being prepared for the ceremony at the World Trade Center site, with Vice President JD Vance expected to attend, while former President Trump will not be present.
