Hey there! NYC paused this Thursday to mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks 🕯️🇺🇸. It’s wild to think it’s been over two decades since nearly 3,000 lives were lost in those coordinated hijackings.
At Ground Zero in Manhattan, families, survivors, and city leaders gathered where the twin towers once stood. The ceremony began with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. — the moment Flight 11 hit the North Tower — followed by church bells across the city and a heartfelt reading of every victim’s name.
That morning, New Yorkers also reflected on Flight 93’s brave passengers, who fought back against hijackers, saving countless lives when the plane crashed in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, another jetliner hit the Pentagon.
But this year’s memorial came amid fresh tensions. The recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah has the U.S. on edge over political violence. VP-designate JD Vance skipped NYC and is heading to Utah after Kirk was shot at a university event.
The violence isn’t isolated — earlier, a Democratic lawmaker and her husband were targeted in Minnesota, and a governor’s residence was firebombed. It’s a stark reminder that political divides can turn dangerous, whether in Washington or in Manila’s university halls.
Back in the Big Apple, the mayoral race adds another layer of heat. Socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams are all vying for votes ahead of the November 4 election. Polls show Mamdani with a 22-point lead.
Amid this rivalry, some attacks have turned personal: former President Trump has repeatedly targeted Mamdani for being Muslim and a naturalized citizen, while a GOP lawmaker even demanded his deportation. Mamdani reflected that for many New Yorkers, 9/11 was the moment they were seen as 'others', sparking Islamophobic attacks.
Despite the political storms, Thursday was about unity. NYC honored every life lost — the 2,977 victims (excluding the 19 hijackers) — with a collective promise: to never forget and to stand together, beyond politics, as one city 🌍🤝.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
