This Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. In addition to a strong security presence, New Yorkers who go to Lower Manhattan or the Memorial area, where the ceremony will take place, are expected to face heavy traffic and closed streets.
And even though the NYPD has remained silent on the security measures that will be implemented during the day when tributes will be paid to those who died after the attack on the financial district of the Big Apple, on Tuesday afternoon visitors to the Freedom Tower noticed the presence of helicopters flying over the area and several police patrols patrolling the area.
“This day will always be very sad for those of us who lived through that tragedy, because no matter how much time passes, it is something that is never forgotten, and although I did not lose any family members, I did suffer the pain of that horrible morning that fills my head again every September 11,” said Panamanian Luz Cherasi, who wanted to visit the 9/11 Memorial on the eve of the commemoration.
The Latina mother admitted that every time another anniversary comes around, she worries about security, although she said she fully trusts that the authorities are prepared to keep the city calm.
“You think that anything can happen again, but so many years without attacks is something that calms you down, especially because I think we have the best police force in the world,” said the New Yorker.
The NY Daily contacted the NYPD on several occasions to learn in detail how the authorities will guarantee the security of the city, where it is estimated that figures such as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other local, state and federal political leaders will arrive, but the law enforcement agency did not respond.
The NYPD also did not respond to questions about whether there were credible threats of attacks, which often surface in the days leading up to the commemoration of September 11.
An NYPD officer who was at the commemoration said several streets in Lower Manhattan will be cordoned off for the ceremony, including stretches of South End Avenue, Liberty Street and Battery Place, as well as Barclay Street to the north, Rector Street to the south, Broadway to the east and West Street to the west.
The commemoration program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the first moment of silence will be at 8:46 a.m., but families of the victims will be able to enter the Memorial Plaza from 7:30 a.m. The event is expected to end at 1:00 p.m.
Relatives of the victims will be at the ceremony from 7:30 in the morning. Photo Edwin Martinez
Another tribute to honor the victims is the Tribute of Light in Lower Manhattan, which raises two beams of light resembling the Twin Towers within a 60-mile radius. This is a way not only to demonstrate the strength and resilience of New Yorkers but also to show new generations what happened.
“With more than 100 million Americans born after 9/11 or too young to remember that tragic day, it is imperative that we inspire a new generation by sharing the unity and resilience of our collective response,” said Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. “The twin beams of the Tribute of Light reach into the night sky to remind everyone of who and what we lost and found 23 years ago.”