The remark comes amid a rise in Islamophobic attacks on Mamdani ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Mamdani has previously spoken out about the Islamophobia he’s experienced as a Muslim, and especially as a Muslim public figure. CBS reported that there were 23,000 signatures on the petition, which it characterizes as a “Petition from 9/11 families.” But, as Popular Information reported, the claim that “thousands” of 9/11 victims’ families had signed the petition was a lie. He claimed that roughly 300 signatures were from victims’ families, because: “We all know each other, so … think about it.