W000269
Friday, November 09, 2001 1:35 AM
Battery Park City, New York
I am concerned about he people who live (or lived) in Battery Park City. I
don't understand how they could not be classified as "Victims" of the
terrorist attack. They certainly are victims and must be classified as
such. They were victimized on September 11th, they are our neighbors and
they need our help.
My best friend was in her apartment only 1 block away when the first plane
hit. She was there when the 2nd plane hit. She was there when the towers
fell. Her elderly parents were visiting her - so they were there
also. THEY WERE IN THEIR APARTMENT ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT - watching the
buildings around them burning. They were evacuated on September 12th. She
now has a choice: (1) return to live in her contaminated apartment and
hire an environmental expert to decontaminate the salvageable items and
breathe in contaminated air every day and every night or (2) move to
another apartment and still hire an environmental expert to decontaminate
her salvageable items. Under either option - she will receive NO
ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND ESTABLISHED FOR THE VICTIMS.
Some of her neighbors aren't as fortunate as my friend - they don't have
the money or the financial credit to move. There are young children and
elderly retired folks breathing in contaminated air on a daily and nightly
basis. They breathe in smoke mingled with contaminated tiny air particles
made up of dead bodies, office furniture, paper, walls, floors, carpet,
airplane debris . . .
This is an outrage. Our government, WE THE PEOPLE, should be helping the
residents of Battery Park City. I urge the USDOJ to amend the definition
of "victim" to include the people of Battery Park City. The September 11th
fund was established to help these people - let's help them.
Individual Comment