From New York Post · · 1m 20s
He asked Mamdani to stay away. Mamdani came anyway
A 9/11 widower gathered 113,000 signatures to keep the mayor from Ground Zero, then watched him sit through all five hours.
In brief
A 9/11 widower gathered 113,000 signatures to keep the mayor from Ground Zero, then watched him sit through all five hours. Showing up and staying for the whole thing changed more minds than any argument did. Originally reported by New York Post.
113,000 names, one ask
Giovanni Galante drafted a Change.org petition in July asking Mayor Zohran Mamdani to skip the 25th anniversary at Ground Zero. It drew more than 113,000 signatures.
“113,000 is humongous. I would have been happy with 3,000”
Why he started it
Galante's wife Grace was 29 when she was killed with 2,976 others. He is a Brooklyn-born real estate agent in Florida, not an activist, and says someone had to speak.
“I didn't want to go through this really. I'm not an advocate, but I'm glad I did”
The case against the mayor
Critics pointed to Mamdani's past remarks and his ties to figures like influencer Hasan Piker, who once said America deserved the 2001 attacks.
Mamdani went anyway
He brushed off months of pressure and attended. Organizers seated elected officials away from victims' families, as at past ceremonies, so the planned protest never happened.
The viral laugh
A clip showed Mamdani briefly laughing with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the reading of the names. Galante gave them the benefit of the doubt.
“That easily could be taken out of context because it's unclear what they were talking about”
He stayed five hours
Charles Wolf, who turned his back on Mamdani in April, was impressed the mayor stayed to the end. He introduced himself afterward and they shook hands.
“I said I really appreciate the respect you showed for our loved ones”
At a glance
Showing up and staying for the whole thing changed more minds than any argument did.
