ACLJ Calls on NYC to Landmark Ground Zero Site

“To permit a mosque to be built on this site is not only offensive to many Americans, it is simply wrong." - Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsel

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2010— On behalf of a New York City firefighter who survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has filed additional written testimony with the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) of New York City.  The ACLJ is urging city officials to landmark the site where the landing gear of one of the hijacked planes from 9/11 crashed through the roof of the building.  The ACLJ contends that the site links two distinct periods in American history, reflecting the growth and rise of American free enterprise and standing as a symbol of America's strength and survival in the face of brutal, sadistic terrorism. 

"We're concerned that the City of New York is trying to fast-track and sidestep a well-documented process in order to clear the way for this sacred site to be used as a location to build an Islamic mosque,"  said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.  "This is not a case about constructing a religious facility in New York City.  This is about preserving a site in the shadow of the Twin Towers-where thousands of Americans were murdered-a site where the landing gear of one of the hijacked planes crashed into the building.  To permit a mosque to be built on this site is not only offensive to many Americans, including family and friends of the 9/11 victims, it is simply wrong.  We urge city officials to reject the pressures of political correctness and embrace common sense.  This is not the place to build a mosque.  It's time to approve a landmark designation that will preserve the historical integrity of this building."

The ACLJ represents Tim Brown-a decorated firefighter and first responder, who survived the Twin Towers' collapse and lost nearly 100 friends-as well as thousands of Americans who signed on to the Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque.

In written testimony submitted to the LPC today, the ACLJ contends that the site should be landmarked because of the historical significance of the building, the unique architectural features, and the fact that the site may still yield discoveries related to 9/11 that will be lost forever if the building is not preserved.  A landmark designation would preserve the historical integrity of this building and would not allow it to be demolished for make way for a 13-story mosque.

The ACLJ also is urging city officials to comply with the New York City charter by following well-established procedures permitting the city's Community Board #1 (C.B.) to conduct a full hearing and vote on the matter before the LPC makes its decision.  A decision on the issue is currently scheduled for later this summer.

In its letter to the LPC, the ACLJ noted that some six percent of the 22,000 landmarked buildings or sites in NYC have been designated because of their historical significance alone.  Among the structures landmarked for historical reasons: a building that signifies the importance of the rise of the Labor Movement and the struggle for workers rights; a site to promote equality based upon sexual orientation; a clinic where Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, is remembered for her advocacy of abortion rights; and even a building where the terrorist organization, Weather Underground, detonated a bomb.

You can read the full text of the ACLJ's letter here.

Last week, a legal team from the ACLJ attended a hearing of the LPC where the decision was put off on whether or not to declare the existing building a landmark.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.

 

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