9/11: 'Never Forget' Must Include All Victims

American Atheists

www.atheists.org

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2012

For more information contact:

David Silverman, President, American Atheists, 908-276-7300 ext. 5

Teresa MacBain, Public Relations Director, American Atheists, 908-276-7300 ext. 7

9/11: ‘NEVER FORGET’ MUST INCLUDE ALL VICTIMS 

Cranford, NJ—Eleven years ago today, on September 11, 2001, the world was devastated when a group of religious terrorists viciously attacked our country, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. In New York City, two planes were flown into the World Trade Center, killing 2,792 people.  They came from every walk of life and believed in many different things.  One-third of the people who perished on that September day were not Christian. Yet the World Trade Center Memorial Museum refuses to honor their memories, and openly mocks them by its selection of a Christian cross, consecrated during a religious ceremony at the museum, to represent all the victims, even those who were not Christians.

American Atheists filed a lawsuit in 2011 seeking that either all people be allowed to memorialize their loved ones or that the cross be removed.  

David Silverman, President of American Atheists said, “We are fighting to defend the rights of ALL the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We demand that every religious position be represented, and that all victims be honored equally. We have offered to pay for the memorial to atheists, so it won’t cost the public any money, and we would allow the museum board to pick the design. But that offer has been refused.”

Edwin Kagin, Legal Director of American Atheists, said that as of September 11, 2012, the lawsuit to allow equal access for all the victims’ families or to remove the cross was awaiting a summary judgment decision.

Teresa MacBain, former pastor and Public Relations Director of American Atheists said, “9/11 marks a very dark day in our nation’s history. Who can forget the sight of those towers burning, knowing that thousands of people were trapped inside? How can we, in good conscience, keep any family of the victims from honoring their dead?”

Amanda Knief, Managing Director of American Atheists said, “Though the museum will not open until at least 2014, it is expected that millions will visit from all across the U.S. and the world. As of today, the only marker these visitors will see to represent every victim, every survivor is a Christian cross. How does this represent the diversity of the loss? Imagine the pain of those who are not Christian when they are slighted by the lack of representation? Is the loss of non-Christians somehow less significant?”

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc. 

P.O. Box 158 

Cranford, N.J. 07016 

Tel: (908) 276-7300 

Fax: (908) 276-7402

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