9/11 First Responders Won't Be At The 10th Anniversary Memorial

The memorial in lights last year (mudpig's flickr).

With a deluge of requests pouring in, the city is attempting to accommodate as many people as possible to attend the tenth anniversary ceremony of the September 11th attacks at Ground Zero. One group that will not be attending the memorial en masse? First responders. The city claims they will be honored at a separate ceremony on a later date.

Space at the memorial is extremely limited. Even lawmakers from states besides New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are the only ones expected to be granted access based on the immense demand for seats and the additional security concerns spurred by the presence of President Obama. "I would like to to see as many people from around the country accommodated at Ground Zero as possible on September 11," Rep. Peter King tells the Daily News. "Our main concern at all times, however, must be the family members whose loved ones were murdered on 9/11."

But some responders feel that a ceremony on any other day than September 11 means less: "To have a separate service on another day has no significance, no meaning" a Queens volunteer told the paper. "For many of us, we gave a lot at that site." 91,000 people are estimated to have helped in the preliminary search and rescue efforts and the subsequent cleanup that took 10 months. 9/11 survivors may be granted access to the memorial based on the attendance of those who lost loved ones in the attacks.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on August 14, 2011 5:10 PM

Comments [rss]

u knoww

They're not invited because they're scared someone will jump up and scream,"BOMBS!" or maybe it's their progressive and deplorable health conditions caused by the debris that they failed to provide adequate care for? Oh noo it's just because there's absolutely NO space, NONE. With all the celebs who had shit to do with 9/11 and entourage of photographers and film cast, there is just NO WAY first responders are invited, oh and with limited funds they can't increase the size of their venue either, Bullshit.

William Severns

Other than family members, why would anyone outside of NYC get preferential treatment over those who put themselves in harms way as first responders to the scene? POLITICS - THAT'S WHY! And it's obscene!!!

destroy_all_humans

silly heros, ceremonies are for the rich. Your party will be at the dock with a hot dog vendor.

edgie168

I'm sure that'd be infinitely more fun than this.

JPeditor

Cop-hating Gothamist must have been on the guest list committee.
"and the additional security concerns spurred by the presence of President Obama."

$10 says he talks about muslims being victims. Sockchucker should go spend the day with his Saudi masters.

Ian MacAllen

Oh yes, we certainly absolutely must invite rapists, thieves, and common criminals.

http://gothamist.com/2011/02/2...
http://gothamist.com/2010/07/2...
http://gothamist.com/2008/10/2...
http://gothamist.com/2011/08/0...
http://gothamist.com/2011/02/1...
http://gothamist.com/2011/04/2...

crusher153

so i guess all the rescue workers are criminals of some sort in your eyes. i really feel for you. you must be an angry unintelligent asshole! use your head just for once. yes there are some people the city hires to be police, fire, and ems that have no buisness being hired. they are the exception to the rule.

Guest

"We"?

splicernyc

I'm sure there'll be plenty of celebs and the asshole rich buddies of Bloomberg invited to this event. I won't watch it or be anywhere near it. I don't need a reminder of that day, it is quite fresh in my mind.

crusher153

i stopped going to the wtc a long time ago. it became a circus shortly after. it used to turn my stomach, seeing people sell wtc merchandise (while i was digging for my friends and innocent civilians a few hundred yards away). i made the mistake of going down there for the 5th anniversary just to see it was a tourist trap. i love and miss my friends and i will always have a place for them in my heart, i don't need to go there to remember.

Guest

To me, it's just a kick in the face that we were certainly good enough to be there that morning, but not for this. Anyway, I hope you're taking good care of yourself, both physically and spiritually.

splicernyc

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Roger_the_Shrubber

Too many narcissistic politicians and their entourages want the spotlight. Can't have real-life heroes taking attention away from them.

Guest

Why the need to open fresh wounds by reposting this story, Chris? That desperate for hits you'll sink to this?

Guest

Jesus H Christ - I just realized you used the same exact picture as the first time you posted this.

Why post this again, Chris? Seriously, is it laziness, desperation for hit or just being an asshole?