Mayor Michael Bloomberg decried the notion that New York would tolerate political jockeying for speaking time at the Sept. 11 anniversary ceremony, reports the
New York Daily News.
The mayor slammed reports that Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Chris Christie of New Jersey were criticizing plans for the ceremony as snubbing some politicians. The event aims to honor victims and their families and not showcase politicos, he said.
“We’re trying to keep focus on families, and that’s where it belongs,” Bloomberg said. “This day is not about any of us, it’s about the families of 3,000-odd people who lost their lives 10 years ago.”
The number of politicians attending the event has been capped because of space constraints. President Barack Obama will be present, along with members of Congress from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Bloomberg said the city had to turn down several foreign dignitaries who wanted to attend.
The politicians who attend will not be giving speeches. Instead, they will recite a few selected poems or readings.
Ceremony organizers have been overwhelmed by the public’s interest in the event. To compensate for space limitations, first responders will be invited to watch the 10th anniversary ceremony on video screens installed at Zuccotti Park, just a few blocks from the memorial site.
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