Mamdani Under Fire After 9/11 Ceremonial Pen Goes to Lawyer Who Represented Guantánamo Detainee - FINCHANNEL
- On Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed two executive orders marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, then handed the ceremonial pen to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, drawing immediate criticism.
- Critics condemned the gesture because Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted in a 2002 bombing of the French oil tanker MV Limburg off Yemen.
- The executive orders establish an annual Day of Remembrance and Service and strengthen emergency preparedness; the mayor's office defended Kassem's role, noting his team helped draft both orders.
- Queens Council Member Joann Ariola and Kalman Yeger joined victims' relatives in criticizing the decision, with Dennis Warchola calling the act disrespectful to those lost at the World Trade Center.
- As New York prepares for the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Mamdani has emphasized the commemoration should focus on the nearly 3,000 victims and first responders affected by the tragedy.
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25 Articles
The Daily Caller
Restoring LibertyMamdani Signs 9/11 Order Recognizing Day Of Remembrance, Then Hands Symbolic Pen To Al-Qaeda Lawyer
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a 9/11 remembrance order, then the ceremonial pen went to a chief counsel who once represented an al-Qaeda operative.
‘Give me a f**king break’: Internet erupts as Mamdani hands symbolic 9/11 pen to ex-Al-Qaeda lawyer
Mamdani faces backlash after handing a symbolic 9/11 ceremony pen to chief counsel Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer who represented al-Qaeda operative Ahmed al-Darbi. The controversial moment at New York City Hall comes days before the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, as Mamdani prepares for the city’s 9/11 commemorations. Social media erupted over the pen handoff, with critics targeting Mamdani and his controversial aide as the moment went viral.
Mamdani draws outrage by handing 9/11 pen to attorney who helped defend al-Qaida terrorist
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed executive orders recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and handed one of the pens to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, who once represented an al-Qaida operative.
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