Susan Lerner, far left, executive director of Common Cause, N.Y., speaks during a news conference organized by the Coalition of New York Neighbors for American Values, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, in New York. AP NEW YORK (AP) — The planned mosque and Islamic center blocks from the World Trade Center site in New York is getting a new boost from a coalition of supporters that includes 9/11 families.

New York Neighbors for American Values rallied for the first time Wednesday at a municipal building near ground zero.

Talat Hamdani says her paramedic son, a Muslim, gave his life on Sept. 11, 2001, to save Americans and their values, including freedom of religion.

The group was started by members of 40 civic and religious organizations. It plans a candlelight vigil near ground zero on Sept. 10, the eve of the ninth Sept. 11 anniversary.

The head of the watchdog group Common Cause New York, Susan Lerner, says the controversy over the Islamic cultural center was triggered by "irresponsible politicians" using it as an election issue.