Within days, Americans will mark the 25th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost that September morning, and the duty to honor their memory with moral seriousness has never wavered—until now.
A dangerous trend has emerged in American public discourse: a growing reluctance among elected leaders to plainly condemn the ideologies that fueled such attacks. An increasing tendency to avoid labeling evil as it truly is. Twenty-five years ago, such cowardice would have ended careers. Today, tens of thousands of Americans are demanding accountability—and the movement is gaining momentum.
Actress Patricia Heaton has joined a campaign urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani be barred from attending this year’s 9/11 anniversary commemoration at Ground Zero. The star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” shared a petition organized by victims’ families with over 500,000 followers online, urging supporters to continue the effort. The petition, which has garnered nearly 45,000 signatures, argues that Mamdani should not participate in the solemn event due to his positions on issues related to Israel and terrorism.
In an industry that often rewards ideological conformity with participation trophies, Heaton has consistently championed traditional values while many of her peers have remained silent or turned away. Her support for this petition aligns perfectly with her long-standing principles.
What makes Heaton’s stance particularly compelling is its foundation in personal experience. She was present in New York City on September 11, 2001, alongside her “Everybody Loves Raymond” castmates. “It was a terrifying experience,” she wrote in a 2024 remembrance. She also noted: “The same terrorists are back in full force, this time going after Israel—but really they’re going after all of us.”
Heaton further stated: “Anyone who calls for Israel to lay down its arms is supporting the very people who took down the Twin Towers.” Her statements reflect no hesitation or compromise—just unflinching truth. Such clarity is increasingly rare in her field.
While celebrity support matters, the campaign’s driving force comes from Giovanni Galante, a 55-year-old who lost his wife Grace in the attacks. He initiated the Change.org petition demanding Mamdani stay away from Ground Zero on the anniversary. His reasoning is straightforward: the memorial ceremony must remain “grounded in shared American values—respect for victims, recognition of the attack’s gravity, and a clear rejection of ideologies that led to such violence.”
One signatory expressed their frustration: “I am incensed that a terrorist excuser is now Mayor and an outspoken sympathizer for terrorist perpetrators. He is disqualified from attending the 9/11 remembrance ceremony and ought to be barred.”
The petition has gathered more than 45,000 signatures—many of whom are Americans who remember the cost of that day.
The campaign’s objections to Mamdani are not based on vague discomfort but on his documented record. He has shown a notable reluctance to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” His chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, previously represented convicted al-Qaeda operative Ahmed al-Darbi.
When confronted by families, Mamdani dismissed their concerns, announcing he would “proudly honor” victims by “standing alongside them.” Yet for the widows, orphans, and survivors, his presence is an insult—and his response is to praise himself.
Patricia Heaton sees it. The 9/11 families see it. Forty-five thousand petitioners see it. The 25th anniversary of September 11 belongs to those who lost loved ones and first responders who rushed toward the flames. Protecting that sacred ground requires the courage to reject those who equivocate about the evil that claimed 3,000 American lives.
