Questions

I do not think Mayor Zohran Mamdani should attend the 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero.

My objection is not that he is Muslim, nonwhite, or was born in Uganda. I share the concerns expressed by 9/11 families who created a petition asking that he not participate.

The petition cites Mamdani’s public record, including his past reluctance to unequivocally condemn “globalize the intifada,” his praise of Imam Siraj Wahhaj, comments concerning Anwar al-Awlaki, his appointment of Ramzi Kassem, and other political associations or statements the petitioners believe conflict with the solemn purpose of the ceremony.

I signed the petition because I agree that the 25th anniversary should center on the victims, survivors, first responders, and families—not another political controversy.

Mamdani can commemorate 9/11 separately as mayor. Others are free to disagree, but I think the families asking him to stay away deserve to have their reasons taken seriously rather than dismissed as racism or Islamophobia.

Petition:
https://www.change.org/p/please-sign-to-support-honoring-the-memory-of-those-lost-on-september-11th-with-dignity

Do you think Mamdani should attend the Ground Zero ceremony?

https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-unwelcome-guest-some-9-11-victims-families-want-mamdani-barred-from-tribute/

This isn’t a hypothetical division I invented. AP recently described an ongoing Democratic “tug-of-war” between the party establishment and its increasingly influential progressive/socialist wing, with that conflict already playing out in major 2026 primaries. Axios is also reporting friction over the 2028 presidential primary process itself.

Analysis: Have progressives peaked? The next few weeks will be crucial in Democrats’ tug-of-war - https://apnews.com/article/democrats-bernie-sanders-michigan-minnesota-18eab31fd7cf66048279f6ca3f2d2ef9

Dems' 2028 primary schedule angers some progressives - https://www.axios.com/2026/07/26/south-carolina-progressives-primary-2028

So my question is about what happens if that struggle remains unresolved going into 2028: could it divide Democratic voters enough to help Republicans win?