9/11 Families Upset Over Tourists' Treatment of Memorial: Report
Relatives of 9/11 victims say tourists have been treating
the National September 11th Memorial like a playground, sitting on plaques
engraved with the names of the victims, splashing water from the waterfalls on
their faces to cool themselves, and resting bags and cups of coffee on the
ledges.
The New York Post reports family members and first
responders alike have been writing letters to memorial officials and related
organizations, upset over disrespectful behavior on the grounds.
One tourist "spilt coffee all over my son's name...
after she arose from sitting on the names," a relative wrote to Bill Doyle
of the Coalition of 9/11 families.
First responder Mariannae Pizzitola wrote to Memorial
President Joe Daniels about her recent visit to the memorial, saying,
"People laughed and took pictures smiling, and so many people leaned on
the tablets with all of my friends' names engraved in them, holding Starbucks
cups, like it was a kitchen table," she said.
One family member told the Post she was glad the
atmosphere wasn't morose.
“I have always assumed that as time goes by, people will
come there for gentle recreation — walking, sitting in the dappled sunshine,
even picnicking — so I am rather surprised that anyone thinks this is not
acceptable behavior,” said Kathy Bowden, who lost her brother in the attacks.
The Post said two guards were circling the two pools at
the memorial last week, prohibiting visitors from leaning on the ledges or
resting their bags against the engraved names. The new crackdown was issued
ahead of the upcoming 9/11 anniversary.
In June, a group of students from Brooklyn were forced to
leave the memorial after throwing garbage into the reflecting pools.
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