El-Sayed Campaign Schedule for 9/11 Includes Festivities, Lacks Remembrance Event

<p>As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Abdul El-Sayed’s public campaign schedule for that day does not include a remembrance event, but lists participation in a Mexican festival, a farmers market, and a county fair. As of Friday morning, El-Sayed’s campaign website featured staff and volunteers for Grand Rapids’ Fiesta Mexicana, a nearby farmers market, and the Allegan County Fair, while El-Sayed himself was scheduled to appear on his "Shouldn’t Be This Hard" tour.</p><p>In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the absence of a 9/11 remembrance event on the public schedule, El-Sayed’s campaign stated that the Democratic nominee "will be attending a 9/11 remembrance memorial event that day," although this event was not listed on his campaign website.</p><p>The events on the campaign schedule are characterized by a festive atmosphere. Fiesta Mexicana, for example, is described as featuring "three days of mariachi, folklórico and forty-some vendors" aimed at celebrating Mexican culture in West Michigan. El-Sayed’s campaign encourages supporters to "bring some Mexican swag" and enjoy the music and food.</p><p>The Allegan County Fair includes live entertainment, food, games, and rides. El-Sayed’s campaign clarified that he would not attend two of the four events highlighted by Fox News Digital, but did not specify which ones.</p><p>The campaign did not provide an explanation for the omission of the 9/11 remembrance memorial event from El-Sayed's list of upcoming events, but emphasized that El-Sayed views 9/11 as a significant and tragic moment in history. According to his spokeswoman, "The September 11th terrorist attacks were an evil attack on America's freedom and he will be joining Michiganders in remembering the 25th anniversary."</p><p>El-Sayed has faced scrutiny regarding his past statements related to 9/11. Earlier in the campaign, a controversy arose when a clip of Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who had campaigned alongside El-Sayed, resurfaced in which Piker stated that America "deserved 9/11." El-Sayed referred to the statement as "dumb," but did not disavow Piker. Additionally, past blogs and social media posts from El-Sayed that contained controversial remarks about the terrorist attacks have come to light.</p><p>Fox News Digital previously reported that El-Sayed had drawn parallels between 9/11 and the January 6 Capitol riots, and made comparisons between former President Donald Trump and Osama bin Laden in a now-private blog. He has also called for Americans to express the same outrage over the COVID-19 pandemic as they did for 9/11 and expressed condolences for those who died in America’s War on Terror.</p>