A growing group of relatives of victims killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is urging organizers to prevent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani from attending this year’s 25th anniversary memorial ceremony at Ground Zero, arguing that his presence would be inappropriate.

The effort centers around a petition launched by Giovanni Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was killed in the attacks, the New York Post reported. 

Organizers have said that the petition has attracted more than 1,100 signatures so far, including roughly 300 family members of 9/11 victims, although the total has continued to grow. 

The petition describes Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of the city, as an “unwelcome guest” and contends that his past statements and political associations make him an unsuitable participant in the ceremony.