Mamdani confirms 9/11 memorial attendance; addresses Brooklyn stabbings

It's a parade that is a celebration, not just of freedom, not just of this city, but also of the Caribbean diaspora, a diaspora that has given so much of this place that we call home, and a diaspora that has the roots of so many New Yorkers. And I can't wait for the parade, and it's been so lovely to start this off at the breakfast. I look forward to any and all questions you guys have. We've got time for just a few questions. Andrew, go first. Mayor, I'm sure by now you're familiar with what former Mayor Giuliani said yesterday, that not only should you not attend on Friday, but he said that whereas the hijackers were open about their disregard for America, you're trying to hide yours. What is your response to that? I'm proud to be the mayor of this city. I love this city. I love this country. And what I want this week to be a focus on is on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of September 11th, and a focus also on the first responders who did everything they could to this city, and to the people who came together to try and help their fellow New Yorkers. And so in the days to come, my focus will be on attending events that memorializes that incredible courage, and I will be there on Friday at the memorial, just as I was last year. Did you see Giuliani's comments, and did you have any thoughts on them? I don't have much more to add. Thanks, Andrew. Mayor, there was a stabbing not too far from here today. Do you know anything about that? Does it seem to be connected? I think it's still a little early. What we do know, however, as you said, is that three individuals were stabbed in the early hours of this morning. We are thankful to report that all of them are in stable condition. And we continue to be incredibly confident in the work of our NYPD, our CMS partners, city workers across the parade. We're doing everything they can to prepare for what is going to be a moment of joy for the city. Mr. Mayor? Miles, last one. Yes. Very serious question. What's your favorite reggae song? My favorite reggae song? That is so good, too. That is so good, as well. I mean, I do love Gyal You a Party Animal by Charlie Black. It's an incredible song. I also grew up on a lot of Bob Marley, though. And so I do have to say, I love Three Little Birds. It's a beautiful song. But standing up there with Woojoo Benson, Kess the Band, pretty incredible. God bless the Caribbean. Thanks, everyone. Mr. Mayor? I can't take gifts. All right, so we're listening to Mayor Zohra Mamdani there, answering three questions. I'll start with the third one, because that was the lightest question. They asked him sort of what his favorite song of the West Indian culture is there. He said Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. Three little birds. There he goes. Beautiful song. That was the lightest of the three questions that he had there. The second one you heard was about what we were telling you before, so we can show that video again. So Mayor Mamdani, again, just left the West Indian Day Parade breakfast. He was asked three questions. The second question was about this stabbing that we got notice about early this morning, because there's a real concern about security. We've seen so many incidents far too often, very unfortunate, surrounding the J'ouvert celebration and the West Indian American Day Parade. We had three stabbings that happened this morning, one person in critical condition, two others in stable, the ages 23 and 36 years old, and a 32-year-old man all stabbed. They're still looking for the suspect. The mayor was asked very specifically about this incident and sort of indicated that he's aware of it, they're looking into it, didn't add too much more on that particular topic. So that is significant. The other question there, and this is one that's going to make a headline. The mayor was asked about former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's comments about whether or not he should attend the 9-11 ceremonies later this week. Mayor Giuliani, along with some others, including several members of the 9-11 Families Coalition there, former Governor Pataki, have indicated they don't think that Mayor Mamdani should attend, but the mayor making it very clear right there that he will be there this Friday. He said just as he was last year. So sort of trying to put that headline, that possibility to rest, Mayor Zohar Mamdani asked those three questions. You saw it here live, right here on Newsroom Live, where he said he does in fact plan to attend the ceremonies this weekend, despite some of the calls from former elected officials here in New York City, including Mayor Giuliani.