Families of September 11 victims delivered a petition with more than 102,000 signatures to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, urging him not to attend Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

More than a dozen relatives of victims gathered on the steps of City Hall alongside Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican, to deliver the petition and explain their opposition to Mamdani’s planned appearance at Ground Zero. The petition was received by a member of Mamdani’s office, according to organizers.

The petition was launched in July by Giovanni Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was working on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower when she was killed in the attacks. Organizers say the petition surpassed 102,000 signatures before it was brought to City Hall Tuesday.

The relatives involved in the effort have emphasized that their objections are not based on Mamdani’s religion or background. Instead, they have pointed to his policies, political positions and personnel decisions.

Cheri Sparacio, whose husband Tom was killed in the South Tower, specifically criticized Mamdani’s appointment of Ramzi Kassem as his chief counsel. Kassem previously represented a Guantanamo detainee in a military commission case, a connection that has drawn criticism from some 9/11 families and other opponents of the mayor.

Charles Wolf, whose wife Katherine died in the North Tower, contrasted Mamdani with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Governor George Pataki, both of whom were prominent figures in New York’s response following the attacks. Wolf argued that Mamdani has not demonstrated the same level of support for victims’ families.

Mamdani, who was 9 years old when the attacks occurred, has repeatedly said he plans to attend Friday’s ceremony. He told reporters Monday that his focus is on the families whose loved ones were killed and the first responders who responded to the attacks.

The mayor also signed executive orders last week designating September 11 as an official citywide Day of Remembrance and Service and establishing additional measures related to emergency preparedness. His administration has separately released more than 170,000 pages of records concerning the city’s response to the attacks and their long-term health consequences.

The annual memorial ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday. The first moment of silence will take place at 8:46 a.m., marking the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower. The ceremony will include the reading of the names of the 2,983 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, along with a new moment of silence honoring people who have died from 9/11-related illnesses.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has emphasized that the ceremony is intended to remain free of political speeches, with elected officials and other dignitaries expected to observe from a designated area. Despite the petition and criticism from some victims’ relatives, Mamdani has confirmed that he will attend.