Coalition of Prominent 9/11 Leaders, Others Urges Proponents, Opponents of Ground Zero Area Mosque To Not Engage in Protest Rallies on the 9/11 Anniversary

Letters issued to Both Mosque Developers and Anti-Mosque Rally Organizer, Saying That Such Public Protests are 'Inappropriate and disrespectful' on 9/11

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent and influential coalition of 9/11 leaders and others, including the co-founders of the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance movement, have told those for and against the planned Ground Zero mosque that it would be inappropriate and disrespectful to stage any type of public protest rallies or demonstrations in New York on the 9/11 anniversary.  

In letters delivered today to the developers of the proposed mosque, and to the principal organizer of an anti-mosque rally scheduled for 9/11, the group requested that any such rallies be rescheduled for another day. The group made it clear that its opposition to street protest rallies on 9/11 specifically should not be misconstrued as an indication of support for the location of the mosque.

"The proposed mosque has caused tremendous pain and great concern to many within the 9/11 community," said a statement released today to the 9/11 community through a nationwide List-Serv.  "Our desire, which we hope you share, is simply to preserve 9/11 for appropriate remembrance and reflection – we do not believe that protest rallies of this nature should take place on such a sacred day and in such close proximity to Ground Zero."  

A large, anti-mosque rally has already been announced and scheduled for 9/11 (http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/911-mosque-rally-at-ground-zero-bolton-gingrich-wildersthomas-bentsen.html). Proponents of the mosque have not, as of this date, indicated if they will stage a competing rally on 9/11.  

Developers of the mosque have not yet responded to the coalition's letter of request. The organizer of the anti-mosque rally said she will not reschedule her event.

The letters to both groups said:

"We stand together in expressing our opposition to staging a high profile, public protest rally specifically on September 11th, when so many families' and others' priorities will properly be focused on prayer, remembrance, and private reflection throughout the day and evening. To hold rallies on September 11 would be inappropriate and disrespectful to all of us who see 9/11 as a day outside of politics, when we all remain united in honoring the lives and the courage of our many friends and loved ones. "

Signing the letters of request were 20 influential 9/11 community leaders and members, including Dennis McKeon, Where to Turn; Mary Fetchet, Voices of September 11; Edie Lutnick, Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund; David Paine and Jay Winuk, MyGoodDeed; Jennifer Adams and Lee Ielpi, Tribute WTC Visitor Center;  Terry Sears and David Weild, Tuesday's Children;  Alice Hoagland, mother of Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham; Jeff Parness, New York Says Thank You; Nancy Aronson, Board Member, Families of September 11, and others.  The group indicated that many other names would be added over the next week.

September 11 was formally designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009.  Organizers say that millions will engage in voluntary service and reflection in observance of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this year.  

For more information on the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, visit www.911dayofservice.org.  

SOURCE 9/11 National Day of Service