Senator Golden Urges New Yorkers to Join Effort to Move Terror Trials Out of NY

Martin J. Golden

January 29, 2010

 Golden Announces Support for State Senate Resolution Opposing 9/11 Terror Trials From Taking Place in New York City

Brooklyn - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs today called on the Obama Administration to move the 9/11 terror trials of New York without delay.

Senator Golden said, “The people of New York suffered one of the greatest tragedies in our nation's history on September 11, 2001. The idea that these trials would be held just blocks from where the tragedy occurred is an outrage, and shows a callous and blatant disregard for the people of New York. Holding the terror trials in New York City will unnecessarily put New Yorkers at risk and have a staggering economic impact on businesses, disrupt city residents, and cost taxpayers about $1 billion.”

Senator Golden has announced his support for a resolution in the New York State Senate opposing the Obama Administration’s decision to conduct the 9/11 terror trials in New York City in federal civilian court. Senator Golden is urging the Senate Majority Leadership to bring this resolution to the floor of the State Senate immediately for a vote.

“The Obama Administration has been wrong on this from the beginning and has offered no justification whatsoever for this policy which places everyone in New York City at risk. The President and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder need to reverse this decision without delay and prosecute these individuals on a secure military base where the public cannot be harmed. The rights of terrorists should never supercede the rights of Americans.”

“We need to consider the feelings of the brave police officers, firemen, and civilians who lost, friends colleagues and loved ones on 9/11. Instead, terrorists are being given a megaphone and a national stage from which to spew their hatred,” Senator Golden concluded.

 

This week, New York City Mayor Bloomberg said that the trials should not be held in New York City and his office estimated that the terror trials, which are expected to take several years to complete, would cost the City of New York nearly $1 billion. Lower Manhattan community groups and business organizations echoed the Mayor’s opposition.