Ms. Rachel, the children’s content creator whose real name is Rachel Accurso, has spoken out in support of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he faces criticism over his connection to this year’s 9/11 memorial events.
Her comments came just before the remembrance ceremony marking 25 years since the attacks, as calls grew for Mamdani to stay away from the event.
Ms. Rachel says she has met Zohran Mamdani and calls him ‘kind’ and ‘gentle’
Accurso addressed the controversy in an Instagram statement, saying she has personally met Mamdani and had a positive impression of him. In her words, “Mayor Mamdani is awesome. I’ve met him, and he truly cares about New Yorkers. He’s such a kind, gentle soul. Our NYC Pre-K curriculum teaches children to be kind, respect different religions and cultures, and be proud of who they are.”
Ms. Rachel also remarked, “It’s unacceptable that adults still judge, hate and attack each other because of religion and skin color. We should be setting a better example for our children.”
She also criticized religious hatred in the caption accompanying her post, writing, “Also so disappointing to see some Christians expressing hate and Islamophobia. Jesus was Jewish, and he taught us in the Good Samaritan parable that our neighbors are not just those who share our religion.”
Her remarks come as Mamdani faces strong opposition over his presence at 9/11 remembrance events. An online petition led by relatives of people killed in the attacks has gathered more than 100,000 signatures calling for him to skip the memorial, as per Fox News.
The petition points to Mamdani’s praise of Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, his associations with political figures and activists whose past remarks about 9/11 have drawn criticism, and his decision to give a ceremonial pen from a 9/11 remembrance ceremony to chief counsel Ramzi Kassem.
Mamdani has also condemned controversial comments by Hasan Piker, who previously said the United States “deserved” the attacks. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty to war crime charges connected to al Qaeda plots against commercial ships.
