Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate in New York's gubernatorial race, said Wednesday that attendees at this year's Sept.11 memorial ceremony should turn their backs on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani if he attends."I would equate this to a wake.
You don't go to a wake if you're not welcome," Blakeman, whose nephew was killed in the South Tower on Sept.11, 2001, and who currently serves as 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," he said.FIREFIGHTER BROTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM INCENSED BY 'RADICAL' MUSLIMS WINNING KEY DEM PRIMARIESNassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, right, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Blakeman called for a silent protest if Mamdani attends this year's Sept.11 memorial ceremony.
(Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images; Michael M.Santiago/Getty Images)Blakeman argued Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada" should disqualify him from attending the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist 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's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.The mayor has said he still plans to attend the ceremony.9/11 FAMILIES PUSH TO BAN MAMDANI FROM 25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OVER 'HOSTILE' RECORDNew 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.(Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrifi...