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CNN Live At Daybreak

Look at How NYC Plans to Mark Anniversary of 09-11 Attacks

Aired August 07, 2002 - 05:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Turning our attention now to September 11, people throughout the country have been grappling with how to respectfully commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed more than 3,000 people.

CNN's Michael Okwu takes a look at New York City's plans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New York's mayor and governor unveiled a schedule of events they hope reflects respect for the dead, defiance against the hijackers and honor to what the mayor called New York's spirit of community. MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: That spirit is the reason why New Yorkers have won and the terrorists have lost. It has fueled our remarkable recovery from the attack of 9/11.

OKWU: It's that sense of community that's inspired organizers to kick off the anniversary with a procession of bagpipers and drummers, much like those at the ground zero closing ceremony in May, though this time originating from all five New York City boroughs.

In the past, Mayor Bloomberg has expressed his desire to keep 9/11 observances understated, moving, but apolitical. Drawing on the suggestions of more than 4,500 citizens and victims' families, organizers have called for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first hijacked plane careened into the North Tower.

This will not be a day for speeches, but rather recitations, evoking principles of democracy and freedom -- the Gettysburg Address, the Declaration of Independence, Franklin Roosevelt's four freedoms -- sacred American documents on hallowed American ground.

BLOOMBERG: Our intent is to have a day of observances that are simple and powerful, that honor the memory of those we lost that day.

OKWU: Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani will lead some of the reflection, joining victims' families in reading the names of all 2,823 dead. At 10:29 a.m., marking the time the second tower collapsed, New York City's bells will toll. Families for the first time will descend into the pit at ground zero, roses in hand, to pay their respects.

CHRISTY FERER, WIDOW OF 9/11 VICTIM: It was very important for them to be able to go down to ground zero, for many of them, and touch and feel that area. For them it remains a cemetery, a sacred ground.

OKWU (on camera): Mayor Bloomberg says that along with evening candlelight vigils and song, there will be enhanced security. This is a day that New Yorkers have been anticipating with equal measures of dread and hope, hope because some family members believe that that day will be the first real opportunity they will have to close a very dark chapter.

Michael Okwu, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Well, we have more about September 11.

When the FBI put a wire on an undercover informant on September 11, they were hoping to record conversations of corrupt New York City tax assessors. Instead, they got a chilling 90 minutes audio account of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They blew up the World Trade Center.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why? (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my god. (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, those are people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: They're referring to the people jumping from the tower.

The FBI tape, which we received from the "Daily News," is the only known complete recording of the attacks.

Forget about the senior prom, the first date and sweet 16. The majority of teenagers in a recent survey say the terrorist attacks are the most significant milestone of their young lives. Two thirds of the 1,000 students polled give that response. Twenty percent said the attacks affected their lives a great deal, while 35 percent said they were impacted a fair amount.

The survey was conducted for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

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