By Aine Reynolds
Osama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist network Al Qaeda, was killed during a raid carried out by U.S. forces about 30 miles north of Islamabad in Pakistan on Sunday. His death came 7,000 miles away from Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, where nine years, seven months and 20 days ago, the World Trade Center was felled in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which he masterminded.
Following news of the warped terror chief’s death, the last few days have seen mass celebrations erupt around the country. The news has also led to hightened security in Lower Manhattan, throughout the city and at U.S. embassies and major transit hubs around the world.
Families of 9/11 victims everywhere have expressed a sense of vindication.
“We’ll never get our son back, no matter what happens. But I’m very joyful today that, finally, someone who is filled with this kind of hatred is no longer with us,” said Maureen Santora, mother of Firefighter Christopher Santora, 23, who died on 9/11.
Though Al Qaeda took a very big hit, said Santora, “We’re not out of the woods. We have to continue to fight, continue to be vigilant and continue to stick together.”
The announcement “brought some happiness to me and my family,” said Jim Riches, who lost his 29-year-old son Jim Riches, Jr., on 9/11. Nevertheless, he said, “I think the threat is greater than it ever was. They’re going to want to strike back.”
Bin Laden’s killing, indeed, prompted city agencies to prepare for terrorist retaliation attempts by amping up security, similar to the days following the attacks.
“Our assumption is, bin Laden’s disciples would like nothing better than to avenge his death by another attack in New York. That’s our operating premise,” said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly at a press conference Monday at 4 World Trade Center. Police are assigning heavily armed officers and critical response personnel to key locations, including the Financial District and Times Square.
The police are keeping a close eye on bridges, ferries and water taxies in the tri-state area.
The New York Police Department has also increased its bag-search regimen in subway stations and other crowded places to keep an eye out for suspicious packages and “any evidence that our transit system, infrastructure and iconic locations are being targeted,” Kelly said. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, additional officers are being deploying at many transit hubs during morning and evening rush hours.
“We will retain this heightened presence until further notice,” said Jay Walder, M.T.A. chairperson.
The Port Authority issued a statement early Monday morning saying that the agency is increasing police presence at all agency facilities, including the World Trade Center site.
“This response is not based on a current threat, but out of an abundance of caution until we have the chance to learn more,” said Port Authority spokesperson Steve Coleman. The facilities, he noted, will remain fully operational in the meantime.
Officials also expect increased automobile congestion in Lower Manhattan, since Vesey St. between Broadway and Church Sts. has been closed off to traffic to make room for parked news vehicles. Officials would not immediately say how long the street would remain closed.
Despite the high alert, however, intelligence officials are not anticipating an imminent act of violence in Downtown, or elsewherem, to avenge bin Laden’s death.
“As of now, I’m happy to say, there are no new immediate threats against our city,” said Mayor Bloomberg at Monday’s press conference. “But there is no doubt that we remain a top target, and the killing of bin Laden will not change that. Nor will it distract us from a mission that remains our absolute highest priority — defending our city and country against all those who use violence to attack freedom.”
Julie Menin, chairperson of Community Board 1, said the elimination of bin Laden has granted justice to the Downtown community.
“While we will never have real closure on this terrible chapter in our nation,” she said, “today we have seen the perpetrator of these horrific acts brought to justice, a moment our community has been waiting for the last 10 years.”
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said Americans should rejoice that bin Laden left the world “knowing that he had failed to crush the American spirit, and that New York — the city he planned to destroy — grows stronger and more diverse with every passing day.”
“Today is a remarkable moment in United States history and the fight against terrorism,” said Joe Daniels, president and chief executive officer of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum. “We take this time to remember the 2,976 killed in September 2001. At the World Trade Center, their names will be etched in bronze, a tribute to our nation’s steadfast belief in what matters: our freedoms and our ability to overcome the worst of humanity with the best.”
Daniels added, “We think of their families and send our prayers.”
Upon hearing the news on the radio Sunday night, Councilmember Margaret Chin said, “The thing that crossed my mind was the government budget.” Recovering from 9/11, she explained, is a shared effort. “Individuals who are making a lot of money need to pay their fair share of taxes, so we can have programs for our children and for our seniors in rebuilding our city.”
On 9/11, Chin lost a student from The William McKinley School (P.S. 63) after-school program, where she formerly taught.
The officials at the press conference also spoke to the completion of the new W.T.C. site, especially the memorial and museum, as an important chapter in Downtown’s re-emergence from 9/11.
Congressmember Jerrold Nadler said in a statement, “One of the most evil men in history, bin Laden was responsible for murdering thousands of Americans and tearing an awful hole in the heart of my district on September 11, 2001. Now he is finally dead.
“I congratulate President Obama and the United States military for an impressive and precise operation in Pakistan,” Nadler said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform and to our intelligence forces who carried out the daring mission to bring bin Laden to justice.”
With reporting by John Bayles
