Imagine the whole city pausing at 8:46 a.m. 📱 New Yorkers stopped in their tracks, phones frozen mid-scroll, as a moment of silence filled the streets. That's how the city honored the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
At Ground Zero, where the twin towers once stood, families, friends, and visitors stood in solidarity. Church bells rang across the skyline, calling out the names of the 2,977 souls lost — from passengers on four hijacked planes to first responders rushing into the burning towers and Pentagon staff.
But amid this tribute, the mood was far from calm. The recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting Vice President JD Vance to shift from remembrance events in New York to Utah. This tragedy follows other alarming acts of political violence — from a Democratic lawmaker's fatal shooting in Minnesota to the firebombing of a governor's residence.
Back in the Big Apple, the mayoral race is heating up faster than a New York summer. Zohran Mamdani, a socialist Democrat and naturalized U.S. citizen, leads former governor Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in the polls. The campaign has seen intense attacks, including calls from some Republican quarters for Mamdani's deportation — a stark reminder of 9/11's mark on many as 'other'. 🎯
On stage at the ceremony were Mayor Adams and former mayor Rudy Giuliani, who guided the city through its darkest hours. As they stood together, the lesson was clear: unity and resilience can light the way forward, even when politics casts long shadows.
With New Yorkers set to vote on November 4, the memory of 9/11 remains a powerful symbol — a call to remember, to heal, and to stay connected in a world that can feel divided. 🗽❤️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
