Blakeman says hell turn his on Mamdani at 9/11 memorial: You dont go to a wake if youre not welcome
ALBANY, NY – Attendees at this year’s 9/11 memorial service should turn their backs on Mayor Zohran Mamdani, GOP candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman said Wednesday, stopping short of calling on Hizzoner not to attend the ceremony entirely.Blakeman, who lost his nephew in the south tower on Sept.11, 2001, revealed during a press conference in the state capital that he plans to turn away from the divisive lefty mayor, and said he thinks families of victims are right to call on Mamdani to stay home.“I would equate this to a wake.
You don’t go to a wake if you’re not welcome,” the Nassau County executive told reporters.“I think it’s completely appropriate if family members ask him not to come, but if he does come I think there’s a respectful and peaceful way to protest that and I would suggest that people turn their back on the mayor,” Blakeman said.He said Mamdani’s refusal to condemn anti-Israel slogans promoting radical Islamic terror movements, like “globalize the intifada,” disqualify him from the somber ritual, this year marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.“He’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,” Blakeman said.Mamdani says he plans to attend the ceremony, despite the pleas of some families that he stay away.“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack,” the mayor said this week.Former New York Gov.
George Pataki, who was in Albany, too, opening a namesake center for “leadership and conversation” Wednesday, saw New York through the 9/11 attacks.Asked during his separate event about whether Mamdani should attend, the ex-GOP gov dithered after saying he had “grave concerns” about the mayor’s past comments.“It’s my nature to be inclusive, and that is my in...