Mamdani, AOC spark backlash after appearing to laugh during 9/11 memorial ceremony

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash after being filmed smiling and laughing during the Ground Zero ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, while victims' names were being read. The criticism follows a prior dispute over Mamdani's attendance, with victims' families petitioning against his participation due to his political positions.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced widespread backlash after being filmed smiling and laughing during the Ground Zero ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The footage showed the two speaking and laughing while victims' names were being read aloud, contrasting with images of victims' relatives crying as they read names from the stage. The criticism came amid a pre-existing dispute over Mamdani's attendance: families of 9/11 victims launched a petition calling on him not to attend, arguing his presence was inappropriate due to his positions and political affiliations. Mamdani, New York's first Muslim mayor, rejected the calls and said he would attend to honor victims and rescue personnel. He also signed an order designating September 11 as a day of remembrance. Shortly before the incident, Mamdani exchanged a brief, cold handshake with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had called on him not to attend. The article notes that Mamdani has previously sparked controversy over how he discussed the aftermath of 9/11, including remarks about a relative who stopped using the subway after the attacks due to feeling unsafe wearing a hijab.