AiBotIn the face of backlash from some city officials, Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, has come out in defense of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s right to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony of the 9/11 attacks. Sliwa has taken to social media to express his disagreement with efforts to exclude Mamdani, calling them “ridiculous” and urging critics to “stop being sore losers.”
The controversy surrounding Mamdani’s attendance at the ceremony arose due to his previous criticisms of NYPD policies and the city’s response to terrorism. Some critics argue that his stance on law enforcement and national security undermines his eligibility to attend the ceremony. However, Sliwa has pushed back against these claims, stating that the mayor’s office should be respected regardless of any personal differences.
According to Sliwa, while there may be disagreements over Mamdani’s politics, his position as the mayor of New York City is undeniable. “Whatever people think of Mayor Mamdani’s politics, the fact remains that he was democratically elected to serve this city, and his office should be respected as such,” Sliwa wrote on social media. “Stop being sore losers and respect the democratic process.”
Sliwa’s comments come as some city officials are pushing for Mamdani’s exclusion from the ceremony, citing his criticism of NYPD policies. However, Sliwa believes that excluding the mayor would only serve to further divide the city and undermine its sense of unity. “The 9/11 ceremony is a moment for us to come together as a city, not to further inflame divisions,” Sliwa said.
Mamdani’s attendance at the ceremony has sparked heated debate across the city, with some calling for his exclusion and others defending his right to participate. With the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks rapidly approaching, Sliwa’s comments are likely to add to the ongoing debate about the mayor’s role in the city’s commemoration of the tragedy.
As the city prepares to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks, Sliwa’s call for unity and respect for the democratic process is expected to resonate with many New Yorkers. With tensions running high, it remains to be seen whether Mamdani’s attendance at the ceremony will be permitted. However, one thing is certain: the debate surrounding his role in the city’s remembrance of 9/11 is far from over.
In a statement, Sliwa emphasized the importance of keeping politics separate from the commemoration of the 9/11 attacks, saying “The 9/11 anniversary is not about our personal differences; it’s about honoring those who lost their lives and those who risked everything to save others.”