{"id":29799,"date":"2026-08-06T12:12:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T07:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29799"},"modified":"2026-08-06T12:12:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T07:12:19","slug":"blakeman-urges-attendees-to-turn-backs-on-mamdani-at-9-11-memorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29799","title":{"rendered":"Blakeman urges attendees to turn backs on Mamdani at 9\/11 memorial"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate in New York&#8217;s gubernatorial race, said Wednesday that attendees at this year&#8217;s Sept. 11 memorial ceremony should turn their backs on New York City Mayor <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642313\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/zohran-mamdani\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> if he attends.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">&#8220;I would equate this to a wake. You don&#8217;t go to a wake if you&#8217;re not welcome,&#8221; Blakeman, whose nephew was killed in the South Tower on Sept. 11, 2001, and who currently serves as Nassau County executive, told reporters.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s completely appropriate if family members ask him not to come, but if he does come, I think there&#8217;s a respectful and peaceful way to protest that and I would suggest that people turn their back on the mayor,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642314\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/firefighter-brother-911-victim-incensed-radical-muslims-winning-key-dem-primaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FIREFIGHTER BROTHER OF 9\/11 VICTIM INCENSED BY &#8216;RADICAL&#8217; MUSLIMS WINNING KEY DEM PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, right, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, right, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Blakeman called for a silent protest if Mamdani attends this year&#8217;s Sept. 11 memorial ceremony.<\/span> <span>(Steve Pfost\/Newsday RM via Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Blakeman argued Mamdani&#8217;s refusal to condemn the phrase &#8220;globalize the intifada&#8221; should disqualify him from attending the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642315\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/world\/terrorism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">terrorist attacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;He&#8217;s not welcome there because he has yet to say anything in opposition to the global intifada. As a matter of fact, it seems like he supports that phrase, which is part of the reason why we had the tragedy we had on 9\/11,&#8221; Blakeman said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Mamdani&#8217;s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The mayor has said he still plans to attend the ceremony.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642316\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/9-11-families-push-ban-mamdani-25th-anniversary-remembrance-hostile-record\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>9\/11 FAMILIES PUSH TO BAN MAMDANI FROM 25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OVER &#8216;HOSTILE&#8217; RECORD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/mamdani_001.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Zohran Mamdani\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during an announcement on municipal grocery stores at a Campaign for Hunger community food distribution center in Brooklyn on July 27, 2026.<\/span> <span>(Adam Gray\/Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year&#8217;s <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642317\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/terror\/september-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">9\/11 commemoration<\/a> \u2014 reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day&#8230;&#8221; Mamdani said last week.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">His comments came after relatives of Sept. 11 victims launched a petition urging the National September 11 Memorial &amp; Museum to bar Mamdani from attending the ceremony in <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642318\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/new-york-city\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lower Manhattan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Concerns have been raised about Mr. Mamdani&#8217;s public positions, associations, and responses to rhetoric that many perceive as hostile to these shared values,&#8221; the Change.org petition states.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Given these concerns, we respectfully ask that the organizers carefully consider whether Mr. Mamdani&#8217;s participation would align with the intention of the ceremony and the expectations of the families most directly affected by the tragedy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642319\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/jewish-leaders-fault-mamdani-rhetoric-upper-west-side-stabbing-hate-crime-probe-continues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>JEWISH LEADERS FAULT MAMDANI RHETORIC AS UPPER WEST SIDE STABBING, HATE CRIME PROBE CONTINUES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/343\/192\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/686\/384\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/672\/378\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1344\/756\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/931\/523\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1862\/1046\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/720\/405\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1440\/810\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1200\/675\/bruce-blakeman-ny-gov-candidate.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate for New York, speaks with attendees during an event.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive and Republican candidate for New York governor, who is running to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and has secured President Donald Trump&#8217;s endorsement.<\/span> <span>(Victor J. Blue\/Bloomberg\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A spokesperson for the <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_642320\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/9-11-museum-ceo-reflects-lasting-impact-terror-attacks-america-marks-250th-birthday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum<\/a> previously told Fox News Digital that the organization has &#8220;intentionally worked to keep the commemoration free of politics because remembering those we lost on 9\/11 should never be a partisan issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Government officials from across the political spectrum, including every sitting president, governor, and mayor since 9\/11, have attended the ceremony simply to bear witness \u2014 they do not deliver remarks and are asked to remain in a designated area,&#8221; the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Former New York Gov. George Pataki was also asked Wednesday whether Mamdani should attend the ceremony.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;It&#8217;s my nature to be inclusive, and that is my instinct, but Sept. 11 is different. So, I may have comments on that,&#8221; Pataki said, according to the New York Post.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/343\/192\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/686\/384\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/672\/378\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1344\/756\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/931\/523\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1862\/1046\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/720\/405\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1440\/810\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1200\/675\/9-11-memorial.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Views of the 9\/11 Memorial in the financial district of lower Manhattan, New York at the site of World Trade Center.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>The 9\/11 Memorial in the financial district of Lower Manhattan, New York at the site of World Trade Center.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><i>Fox News Digital&#8217;s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate in New York&#8217;s gubernatorial race, said Wednesday that attendees at this year&#8217;s Sept. 11 memorial ceremony should turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he attends. &#8220;I would equate this to a wake. You don&#8217;t go to a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/bruce-blakeman-zohran-mamdani.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29799"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29799\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}