9/11 Families say: Keep Presidential Politics out of 9/11 Memorial Service
For Immediate Release
August 29, 2007
contact:
Chief Jim Riches: 917-692-1199
Rosaleen Tallon: 914-714-5515
9/11 Families say: Keep Presidential Politics out of
9/11 Memorial Service
9/11 Families and first responders are deeply disturbed to learn that one presidential candidate will be given unfair advantage by being allowed to speak at this year’s annual 9/11 Memorial service.
There is grave shock and outrage to learn that presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to read a passage at the 9/11 ceremony. Families and first responders are outraged and call for this speaking invitation to be rescinded and insist that politics be kept out of the 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony. This should not be turned into a one sided political opportunity for any candidate. Rudy Giuliani should attend in silence with other invited guests. We absolutely oppose allowing this man to be a speaker at our loved ones’ 9/11 service for the following reasons:
This is an insult to firefighter families, unions and all the first responders who were gravely injured and sickened by GZ air and whose needs were ignored by Rudy Giuliani. He did nothing to help the first responders, 70% of whom have 9/11 illnesses, because he was too busy making tens of millions of dollars capitalizing off the 9/11 tragedy. Rudy lied about the air quality at WTC and didn’t supply proper face fitted respirators for first responders until Nov. 2001.
Rudy Giuliani has perpetuated his “Grand Illusion” of hero rather than account for the failures of his Administration to protect the citizens of New York City and more importantly, the WTC before, during and after the September 11th attacks.
It is totally unethical to allow a presidential candidate to be cast in such a prominent role without equal time for his opponents. His verbal role at the ceremony will appear to America and the world to be an implicit endorsement by the 9/11 families as well as the first responders who will be reading the names of the victims. This could not be further from the truth. Rudy Giuliani should attend in silence with all the other invited guests.
All family members and first responders are encouraged to express their opinions on this matter.
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Deputy Chief Jim Riches, FDNY and Rita Riches
Assistant Chief Al Santora, FDNY (ret.) and Maureen Santora
Lt. Jim McCaffrey, FDNY and Aggie McCaffrey
9/11 Firefighters & Families for Truth
Kurt and Diane Horning
WTC Families for Proper Burial
Rosaleen and Eileen Tallon
Al and Sally Regenhard
Russell and Joyce Mercer
9/11 Parents & Families of Firefighters & WTC victims
Patty Casazza
Monica Gabrielle
Mindy Kleinberg
Lorie Van Auken
September 11th Advocates