On September 11, 2001, I was on my way to work in Lower Manhattan and was caught amidst the collapse of the towers. The toxic dust cloud chased us through the streets. My small business, located in the heart of Tribeca, was not just a livelihood; it represented years of hard work and dreams. That day forever altered my life. What started as an ordinary day quickly devolved into chaos, and the horror of an unspeakable tragedy for me, thousands of other New Yorkers, and an entire nation.

 

Now, over two decades later, lingering questions and concealed truths remain a shadow over that fateful day. More than 7,000 of us have passed from our exposure, 140,000 more are gravely ill, many fighting for their lives. I am one of them, as are the co-signers of this petition. The people who lived through this nightmare deserve clarity, healing, and closure.  A significant step is the release of the secret 9/11 documents, which hold the key to the questions we have carried for years.



These documents are crucial for a complete understanding of the events that transpired and what the city knew. These documents will shed light on critical details. In a city that thrives on resilience and unity, maintaining secrecy only fuels speculation and distrust.



Mayor Zohran Mamdani, you have the power to pave the way. By releasing these documents, you can demonstrate your dedication to truth and integrity. This can promote healing for those of us who have lived with the spectre of 9/11 for a quarter of a century. It will honor those we have lost. Please make these documents public. Our future demands clarity from our past.  

This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11; it is time for the truth. Create a Ground Zero task Force comprised of those who were there, including survivors, volunteers, residents, small businesses, legislators, journalists, community leaders, and family members. We can process and review those documents together.  We responded to our city's call, "Come back. It's safe." We recovered the victims, reopened our doors, and helped rebuild this city. We demonstrated our city was strong and resilient. We answered the call. Will you?



Anne Marie Principe, Survivor, Small Business Owner, NY From the Ground Up

Sonia Agron, Recovery Worker/Volunteer Red Cross 

Freyda Markow, Volunteer Red Cross,  Salvation Army

Deb Jackson, Shift Supervisor and Volunteer, Salvation Army

Jaye Markwell, Salvation Army, Ground Zero Landfill

Nancy Frederick, Volunteer

EMS(retired) Chief Martin J Nystrom, Maplewood Volunteer Squad, NJ 

Teresa Davis, EdD, LPC, CSAC, LMHLC, Professional Counselor, Mosaic Wellness Journey 

Jeannine W. Chanes, Attorney, Co-founder of NY From the Ground Up

Lynnette Miller, Volunteer Responder   

Christina Chironna, Writer, Director, Producer-When Everything Was Blue