Overview

• Mike Weinstein, cousin of fallen FDNY firefighter Stephen Belson, told officials that failing to denounce the phrase invites “another 9/11,” drawing applause in Lower Manhattan.
• The remarks alluded to Zohran Mamdani, who has not explicitly condemned the slogan but says it is not language he uses and that he will discourage it.
• Mamdani recently said he would discourage the phrase after conversations with Jewish leaders, framing his approach as rooted in universal human rights.
• A spokesperson for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo pressed for answers on Mamdani’s past statements, and Republican Curtis Sliwa called for rejecting extremism and hate.
• Supporters describe the slogan as solidarity with Palestinian rights, while critics say it legitimizes violence against Israelis and Jews.