### Retired Port Authority Officers Urge NYC Mayor and Governor to Avoid 9/11 Commemoration at Ground Zero

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have been called upon by retired Port Authority police officers to steer clear of the Ground Zero commemorations marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The group, led by John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, argues that their presence would be insensitive and dishonorable to the memories of the victims and first responders.

In a letter dated August 14, McDevitt emphasized that September 11 is a day of solemn remembrance, not a political stage. "For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials," he wrote to Mayor 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 highlighted the World Trade Center as their "home," noting that 37 Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the Port Authority family were killed in the 2001 attacks. McDevitt's letter also expressed concerns about Mayor Mamdani's public statements, political associations, and positions, which the officers believe are inconsistent with the sacrifices made by victims and law enforcement officers.

The letter to Mayor Mamdani also suggested that the mayor could recognize the anniversary through a written statement or a separate event, rather than attending the Ground Zero ceremony. Similarly, a letter to Governor Hochul criticized her decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month, arguing that this decision was insensitive and tone-deaf.

Governor Hochul's office has responded to the demand, maintaining 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 for the governor added that Muslim New Yorkers "served as first responders and helped unite the city in the aftermath of the attacks."

The Port Authority Retired Police Association has also taken issue with Governor Hochul's decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month. McDevitt wrote that "political pandering played a role in a decision that showed such disregard for the significance of this sacred site," labeling the decision "insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront" to those who served at the World Trade Center, victims' families, survivors, and first responders.

The conflict between the retired officers and the elected officials has reignited discussions about the appropriate role of political figures at solemn national commemorations. Critics argue that the presence of political leaders can overshadow the personal and emotional significance of the day, while supporters contend that the political context of the attacks should be acknowledged and honored.

The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is set to be a moment of reflection and remembrance for many, but the current tensions suggest that the healing process may still be fraught with political challenges and sensitivities. As the nation prepares to honor the fallen and those affected by the attacks, the debate over the appropriateness of political figures at Ground Zero continues to simmer.