Ex-FDNY Chief urges Mamdani to skip 9/11 memorial over pen-handling controversy

Former FDNY Commissioner Tom Von Essen urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to skip the 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial, saying his presence would offend families, after Mamdani’s signing of 9/11-related orders and a ceremonial pen handoff to Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer who once represented an al-Qaeda-linked figure. More than 100,000 people signed a petition urging him not to attend, but Mamdani insists he will participate to honor victims and first responders, drawing criticism from Giuliani and Pataki.