Survivors of the Attacks of 9/11 not invited to the 10th Anniversary Ceremony

@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
July 14, 2011 5:03am CST
A ceremony is being planned at "Ground Zero" to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. But the survivors have been told that they aren't going to be invited. Who told them? The Families of those who died. Over the years the 9/11 family members have gained some political and social clout, they have been active in political issues, been consulted in decisions, and made statements of support or opposition on various topics. They have suffered losses that I admit, I can only imagine. However, so have the people who survived the attacks. What makes the suffering of the families of those killed somehow more "important" than the suffering of those who lived to tell about it? What make them more deserving of attending the 10th anniversary at Ground Zero than the families? The justification is "safety" and "space available". I admit, those are valid concerns, but why do the families get to decide who should and shouldn't be there? Who granted the families ownership of "Ground Zero"?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
14 Jul 11
that is crazy. they should be allowed to go and honour their friends and workmates in the ceremony. it seems kind of crazy that these survivors get to call the shots.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
14 Jul 11
In fairness, I misread part of it. It isn't the families that get to decide who can and can't come. The mayors office has decided that it's only for the families, apparently survivors aren't worthy.
@weasel81 (2496)
• Australia
17 Jul 11
it really shouldn't matter which side their from. weather survived or members of families who passed on. it should be a coming together of people, and remember what people have done for their country. what about ordinary people who want to pay their respects?
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
15 Jul 11
Well that is just odd! If they are going to have a special ceremony, you would think anyone who worked in either of the twin towers would be invited along with family or survivors. I think I'd be feeling a little left out. This is a shame. It is going to put a bad taste on the whole memory.
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
14 Jul 11
I think that it is a publicity thing more than anything. Someone else said that the family left draws more response than the actual survivors and that is what they are marketing on. I do not understand why the families would be opposed to the survivors being there as well though. It is a sad situation.
@trose7 (243)
• United States
15 Jul 11
I don't think this is right at all. The survivors of the attack went through just as much as those who lost family members in it. If there really is a major concern about space and safety then why couldn't they have two ceremonies, one for survivors, and one for those who lost family and friends.
• United States
15 Jul 11
I don't know what to say on that note. There's always been something fishy as to how the 9/11 attacks happened.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Publicity. Survivors don't tug at the heart like the victims' families do. I'm sure that if we dig deep enough we'll find some politician with a stake in the publicity of the 10th anniversary dog and pony show.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Well now, this I have to agree on. After all, the families of the people killed at 9/11 obviously have all the right in the world to be there, but so do the survivors of 9/11. Look, I was in the city when it happened, I watch from my job. I saw both building fall and it seemed too surreal. Now, even though I was not directly involved, I feel that anyone who survived, and I'm not saying everyone that was in the city, should be able to be there for the 10th anniversary. I believe the invitation should be extended to all involved, and if they refuse to go to, thats their choice.