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9/11: Nine Years Later; Mosque Protest on 9/11 Anniversary; 4 Dead in Gas Fire
Aired September 11, 2010 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right now on CNN. More remains found in the charred rubble of that gigantic gas explosion that nearly wiped out an entire neighborhood. Tonight as neighbors await word on a cause, they also want to hear who or what those remains are.
On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the controversy heats up over Islam and the burning of the Muslim holy book. A conversation you need to hear between a Christian minister and a Muslim Imam.
And perhaps the clearest voices on handling a terror attack coming from young people who lost their moms and dads nine years ago today. You will hear from Tuesday's Children later this hour.
Good evening, everyone. I'm Don Lemon. Thanks for joining us. 9/11, nine years later. Here's the view in New York City right now at this moment. The familiar "Tribute in Light" now synonymous with Ground Zero symbolizing the two fallen towers of the World Trade Center. And serving as a silent reminder of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terror attacks.
Earlier in New York, at the Pentagon and at a quiet field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, solemn ceremonies marked the moments when hijackers took control of four airliners and took aim at America's political and financial capitals. The nation has changed in many ways since then. Some of the changes obvious, others, more subtle.
We start with this morning's gathering of families and loved ones in Manhattan, clutching photos and fighting back tears. New York fell silent at 8:46 a.m. and again at 9:03, the moments when two jets crashed into the twin towers. A clear morning reminiscent of a one night dawned nine years ago. The area remains a construction site full of equipment and full of grand plans for a fitting memorial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daniel Thomas -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And what has become an annual custom, the names of the 2,752 people who died at the World Trade Center site were read allowed, and their loved ones listen, mourn and they remembered.
President Barack Obama traveled just outside Washington to the Pentagon, and he joined the crowd gather to honor the 184 people killed when American Airlines flight 77 struck that massive building. Mr. Obama talked about the attacks and how Americans continue to respond.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The perpetrators of this evil act didn't simply attack America. They attacked the very idea of America itself. All that we stand for and represent in the world. So the highest honor we can pay those we lost, indeed, our greatest weapon in this ongoing war is to do what our adversaries fear the most -- to stay true to who we are as Americans. To renew our sense of common purpose, to say that we define the character of our country. And we will not let the acts of some small band of murderers who slaughter the innocent and cower in caves distort who we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, first lady Michelle Obama and her predecessor Laura Bush were among those who gathered at the site of a future memorial to the passengers and crew of United Flight 93. They talked about courage and how the people who boarded that plane as strangers came together as one to battle those hijackers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: For them putting others before themselves was nothing new. Because they were veterans and coaches and volunteers of all sorts of causes. And to this day, they remind us not just by how they gave their lives but by how they lived their lives that being a hero is not just a matter of fate. It's a matter of choice.
LAURA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: This peaceful place was not chosen by the terrorists. They had other targets for their violence and hate. This spot was chosen by the passengers of flight 93 who spared our country from even greater horrors.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush met privately with families of the 40 people who died at the Shanksville site.
After the 9/11 ceremonies, morning turned to protest in New York.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: And the home of the brave --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: At the center of this controversy, the mosque and community center being proposed two blocks from Ground Zero. And as our Susan Candiotti reports, demonstrators on both sides use this anniversary to make their point. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Don, we are just a few blocks away from Ground Zero. And those duelling rallies both for and against the proposed Islamic center and mosque. The rallies were peaceful and they were passionate. And they were kept about a block apart from each another.
Those who support the idea of that Islamic center and mosque say it is a matter of freedom of religion, and that the Muslim faith cannot be condemned as a whole for the actions of a few.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We think these solemn days should not be used to whip up bigotry and racism. We should not forget, that it was after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and World War II that that same kind of bigotry was brought up to intern hundreds of thousands of Japanese in California. So, that's something that we want to struggle against.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: But some say a mosque so close to Ground Zero would be a slap in the face to the memory of those who were killed on 9/11.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My constitution has been hijacked. I do not believe that all Muslims are terrorists. I believe that this group of Muslims are terrorists. And that's why I'm here today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: But those emotions didn't just play out during the rallies, they were also impromptu sidewalk debates.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We believe in the same document. You just said you believe in the constitution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: do believe in the constitution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Then you just said you don't.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People were disintegrated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By terrorists. You can't blame Muslims.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not blaming Muslims. But if they had the respect they claim they have.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why should they have to apologize for the actions of radicals?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would rather see no church than a mosque where people are going to pray to God.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: At the end of the day, it didn't appear there was any room for compromise. It's unclear whether that will change -- Don?
LEMON: All right, Susan Candiotti, thank you very much.
And on this day of 9/11 tributes, a Florida minister was supposed to burn the Koran as a statement against Muslim radicals. But Pastor Terry Jones announced this morning he won't burn the Koran now or in the future. Jones says he changed his mind after hearing he was to meet the Imam behind a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero. Jones is in New York, but several religious leaders tell CNN that meeting did not happen today.
What have we learned if anything about faith and about ourselves from this controversy? Up next, we will talk with two religious leaders about what it means to people of all faiths.
Also the death toll could rise. And some are saying it could take more than a year to figure out just what caused that horrific natural gas explosion in Northern California.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 18 months for a pipeline, frankly, is unacceptable. We need to know now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That news coming again as the death toll could rise. We will follow-up on that for you.
And remember, you can be part of the conversation tonight. Part of the show. Send us a message on Twitter or Facebook, or check out our blog, CNN.com/Don. Look for us on FourSquare. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Frustration is growing in San Bruno, California, two days after the rupture of a gas line sparked a blaze that all but incinerated one neighborhood. Four people are confirm dead so far. And as our Ted Rowlands tells us residents can only wait and mourn the dead while investigators search for answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT: Surveillance from inside Le Nardy's grocery store, a quarter mile from the explosion, shows the power of the blast and then chaos. Watch closely. At first, people stop what they are doing and a few seconds later, the doors are literally pushed in by the force of the explosion. Frantic customers are see running from one of the exits while others tried desperately to get out of the store. One of the victims, 20-year-old Jessica Morales worked at this very store. Jessica's friend Dayna Hernandez showed us Jessica's Facebook page which today is filled with condolence messages. According to Dayna, Jessica's boyfriend, who is hospitalized with third-degree burn was with Jessica when she died.
DAYNA HERNANDEZ, VICTIM'S FRIEND: He tried to go back in and save her, but he couldn't do anything because the fire, I guess, was getting her.
ROWLANDS: At least four people lost their lives in this tragedy, and cadaver dogs are being used to search for the missing. But because of the intensity of the blast, it is possible investigators say the missing if they were killed may never be found. Meanwhile pressure is building for answers as to exactly what could have caused this explosion.
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D), CALIFORNIA: Many questions must be answered by all of us whose job it is to protect our people. What was the cause of this blast, of course, first and foremost. Were there reports that there were odors escaping from the pipeline? If there were those reports, what actions took place in response to those complaints? Does danger lie in similar pipelines in populated areas? Is there enough monitoring going on?
ROWLANDS: The local gas company, PG&E said they scouring through records to verify reports that people smelled gas in the days before the explosion. More than 1,000 people showed up to a community meeting, many of them demanding answers as to when they would be able to get back into their homes and if their neighborhood is truly safe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: CNN's Ted Rowlands joins us now from San Bruno, California with the very latest.
Ted, what are you hearing? Are you hearing anything about those remains that they found this morning?
ROWLANDS: No. Well, we had a little bit of an update. There is kind of a back and forth. This morning we were told that two sets of remains were found, but now they are backing off because they haven't confirmed that the remains that were found were human remains. That's why the death toll is now still at four. The amount of missing people though has risen. There are now five people that are unaccounted for that they are still looking for.
LEMON: And what about the cause? So far still no cause. So I guess people there, as we have been saying, want answers. What's being done for those people who lost their homes and to try to figure out what's going on with the cause?
ROWLANDS: Well, they are being offered from PG&E, the power company, assistance in the short-term. All the people who lost homes have been given assistance for housing and food, et cetera in the short-term here. And the state is helping them in terms of long-term things that are in place, but at this point it's all PG&E that is helping these folks in the short term and tons of donations, we saw a lot of them, come in today.
LEMON: And as we -- you said it's going to take some time again for them to find out exactly what happened. So the question is, can PG&E promise that the other communities it serves are safe?
ROWLANDS: You know, that's the big question here, Don. Obviously a tragedy for these people who have been affected, but it is really -- a lot of people across the country really asking, am I safe? Do I have one of these pipelines underneath my home and how old was it? This was a line that apparently was due for repair and had been deemed one of those lines that was a concern. So that's the big question here. And the NTSB is leading this investigation. Those are the answers that people want. Not only here, but I think it's safe to say around the country.
LEMON: Thanks, Ted Rowlands.
A city bus on fire and out of control. I want you to take a look at this. Someone hijacked a bus in Kansas and police started a chase. Wait until you see how this one ended.
And Florida Governor Charlie Crist fighting for a Senate seat has another battle on his hands. The Republican Party of Florida wants to take a close look at his spending.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Time now for "CNN Equals Politics" update. We're keeping an eye on all the latest headlines on the CNN.com Political Ticker. And here's what's crossing right now.
Things are getting a little testy between California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. During a flight that took him over Alaska, Schwarzenegger tweeted that he couldn't see Russia. That's a reference to the line from a "Saturday Night Live" skit that made fun of plain. Palin responded by saying Schwarzenegger should have landed so she could explain how a state could have a budget surplus. Of course, making fun of California's huge budget problems.
The Democrat Senate majority could shrink even before the new Congress is seated next January. There are three special elections in November to fill Senate seats in the current Congress. If Republican wins in any of these races would weaken the Democrats majority if the current session of Congress continues its work past election date.
We have a developing story to tell you about tonight. It's out of Florida. CNN has confirmed the state Republican Party is looking into expenses charged by Governor Charlie Crist and is even considering a lawsuit to get the money back. Crist, as you know, is now running for the Senate as an independent.
CNN political producer, Peter Hamby is in Sarasota tonight.
Peter, thanks for joining us. Why are Florida Republicans going after Charlie Crist's spending habits?
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER (via telephone): Well, this goes back almost to the beginning of the year. The former chairman of the Republican Party, Florida Jim Greer has been indicted for money laundering. That led the Republican Party to sort of launch an independent investigation into how the party was spending its money. The reason Charlie Crist was involved here is because Jim Greer was Charlie Crist's ally. He was appointed to the party by Charlie Crist. And now, you know, they met today in Orlando and have gone through finances again. And today it came out and said that they think Charlie Crist inappropriately charged hundreds of thousands of dollars for inappropriate travel expenses and worthless consulting contracts to the party, and they are threatening the possibility of a lawsuit to get that money back.
LEMON: You mentioned Jim Greer. He was a regular on the show. Frequent regular on the show. He would come on and talk about issues concerning the Republican Party.
You know, what about the Republican political rally down there in Florida today? I know there was one.
Isn't 9/11 usually a day where politics are put aside, Peter?
HAMBY: Yes. It was sort of curious there was a big rally in Sarasota where I am today. They are all candidate. Rick Scott, Senate candidate Marco Rubio who is a GOP superstar. Republican candidates flopping down the ballot gathered here and really railed against President Obama and against Obama care, taxes, the stimulus spending, all of these things.
It was interesting because as we saw waking up this morning to Michelle Obama and Laura Bush in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, this is traditionally a day where people reflect on September and don't inject politics. But the people I talked to in the crowd and candidates made no apologies for this. They say President Obama is taking the country in the wrong direction and they are standing up for what they believe in.
LEMON: Peter Hamby, thank you so much.
And that is your "CNN Equals Politics" update. And for all the latest political news, make sure you log on to CNNPolitics.com.
And coming up on CNN, an incredible story of bravery. This soldier risked his life to pull a fellow comrade to safety and saved another from being captured by enemy forces. Now he will be the first living service members from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to receive our nation's top military honor.
Plus, growing up in the shadow of a defining American tragedy. Meet two of the thousands of children who lost parents on 9/11.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Even after nine years, it is difficult to find the right words of condolence for children who lost parents on 9/11. Many of them are now adults themselves. The course of their lives permanently changed. But these young people can find support in Tuesday's Children. It's a group created for them in the wake of the attacks.
Two of the members, Erin and Bridget Fisher, they lost their father, John, in the World Trade Center on 9/11. They tell us how Tuesday's Children helped them cope while growing up. And Chairman David Weild explains the group's commitment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID WEILD, CHAIRMAN, TUESDAY'S CHILDREN: Tuesday's Children was started right in the wake of 9/11 by family members that were actually sitting in the audience of actually the congregation of a funeral service for one of the families. And the priest asked, who's going to stand up for the children of 9/11 and see them through adulthood and people in the congregation stood up. And some of them were the founders of 9/11. So, our mission is to see our children straight through all the way to adulthood. So, with the last, if you will remain charity that is still that's really connected and committed to seeing our kids become fully functioning members of society.
LEMON: So, Erin, you're 25 now, you're the oldest of seven kids. But you were, I believe 16 when the attacks happened. Now, how has Tuesday's Children helped you as you have grown into adulthood?
ERIN FISHER, LOST FATHER IN 9/11 ATTACKS: They have really managed to make it a seamless transition whether or not you're still grieving or ready to move forward. They have provided programs that have helped you whatever stage you are.
LEMON: And Bridget, you were 21 now, but you're only 12 at the time. And how well do you remember your father?
BRIDGET FISHER, LOST FATHER IN 9/11 ATTACKS: That's kind of hard. I mean, at 12 years old, you can't remember much. It's been nine years now. So the memories kind of fade. But my family and I like to keep my dad's memory alive by, you know, telling stories about him and just remembering him.
LEMON: Did Tuesday's Children help you through the grieving process?
BRIDGET FISHER: Absolutely. I went through the helping heals program. We went to Costa Rica and did a community service project and basically it's the idea that by doing community service and helping other people you help yourself and help yourself through that grieving process.
LEMON: So, Erin...
BRIDGET FISHER: It really did work.
LEMON: It did. So, Erin, what's your message to children who have lost parents to terrorism? Not just 9/11 but to terrorism. ERIN FISHER: I would say that this isn't the one event that's going to define your life. So often I would go, you know, day to day thinking that I was stigmatized by the fact that I lost my dad on such a national catastrophe. And I think that I would just say to other children who have lost a loved one in an act of terrorism to say that this isn't what is going to be the most important thing of your life. It will be something that is very important to you, but there are so many other beautiful things that will come to define you.
LEMON: Bridget, I see you're nodding your head. Do you agree?
BRIDGET FISHER: Yes, I agree. My message would be forgive. It's not the end of the world. And you know what, you can't live your life being upset and mad all the time.
LEMON: Talk more about that. Because I think those are words that we all need to hear not only in America, but the world need to hear right now. Why do you say forgive and don't live your life being mad all the time?
BRIDGET FISHER: It just weighs you down. It's not a way to live life. You know, it's something that really can affect you if you let it. In time you need to let yourself forgive what has happened.
LEMON: David, to hear these young women speak like that, especially on such occasion that many would view as somber, what does it do to you?
WEILD: Well, we are incredibly proud of them, Don. I mean, the fact is that these kids are really -- they are emblematic of how terrorism won't win in this country.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Thanks to our guests there.
And an about-face. Iran has decided not to release one of three American hiker who had been in prison there since July of last year. I will tell you why, next.
Plus, a live picture now of the "Tribute in Light" shining at Ground Zero to remember the nearly 3,000 people who died at the World Trade Center nine years ago today. Thanks to iReporters.
We will take a look at how others around the country are honoring this solemn day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: There's a live look right now at the "Tribute in Light" shining in New York City tonight. Twin beams extending into the sky where the World Trade Center tower stood until exactly nine years ago.
And, of course, you didn't need to live close to the attacks to be deeply affected by them.
(VIDEO CLIP)
Bagpipes had a ceremony in Skokie, Illinois, shot by one of our iReporters. A small service only about two dozen people showed up, but a reminder that the entire country has something to mourn today.
And 2000 miles away, a stunning tribute capture by another iReporter at Pepperdine University. This one is in Malibu, California. Students, faculty and volunteers planted nearly 3000 flags one for every life lost nine years ago.
The lawyer for an American detained in Iran said the emotions of her family are, quote, "being abused by authorities." The one who seem to be close to freedom this week, that was before officials in Tehran had an apparent change of heart.
CNN's Ivan Watson explains what might have motivated their decision to keep her in prison.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A reversal by the Iranian government that's sure to come as a devastating blow to the family of Sarah Shourd. She is one of three American hikers who have been imprisoned in Iran for more than a year after the Iranian government claim that they crossed the border from Iraq into Iran illegally, and all three have since been charged with being spies.
Now, on Thursday, the culture ministry of the Iranian government reached out to journalists in Tehran and invited them to a ceremony on Saturday at a Tehran hotel. That was to be attended by an Iranian vice president, and Sarah Shourd was to be released in honor of the Muslim Eid holiday.
Nearly 24 hours later, the prosecutor general had announced that release had been canceled. He claimed the authorities had not worked according to due process.
We know that Sarah Shourd, unlike the male counterparts, is being kept in mostly solitary confinement except for about an hour a day when she is allowed to meet with her two American co-prisoners. We spoke earlier on Saturday with an Iranian dissident here in Turkey by telephone who says that last year she spent some time in a neighboring cell to Sarah Shourd. Take a listen to what she had to say.
MINOO RABIEE, CELLMATE OF SARAH SHOURD (via telephone): I remember Sarah was singing. She said, "I'm a senior." And her voice was very, very beautiful. She said, "I'm homesick and I miss my mom." And sometimes she cried. And I heard her crying.
WATSON: The family of Sarah Shourd says she is suffering from health problems as she has a cervical problem and recently discovered a lump in her breast. Meanwhile, her defense attorney has spoken with CNN, who is Masoud Shafii, and he is arguing that there is a disagreement between rival branches in the Iranian government over just what to do with this American prisoner.
Ivan Watson, CNN, Istanbul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Coming up --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I see people have to have in this moment of despair and crisis, have to have a secure place, a sanctuary of peace and love where healing goes on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Juarez, Mexico, is the murder capital of the world. But one grandmother ignores the danger and provides a safe haven for patients at a hospital she founded. CNN's hero of the week, straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It's time to check your top stories right here on CNN. Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta is going to receive the nation's highest award for valor. Giunta is the first living recipient from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to earn the Medal of Honor. He helped save one soldier during a Taliban attack in Afghanistan and save another as two Taliban fighters were capturing him. Fewer than 3500 Medals of Honor had been awarded since the civil war.
The busted blowout preventer from the gulf oil disaster is now in the hands of investigators in New Orleans. Authorities use a barge to move it into the city along the Mississippi River. Crews yanked it off the ocean floor a weak ago. Now investigators will look it over to try to find out why it failed in April spewing millions of gallons of oil into the water.
Kentucky police identified the gunman who killed five people before turning the gun on himself. 47-year-old Stanley Neace victims included his wife and stepson. Police say the shooting followed a domestic dispute in a mobile home in rural eastern Kentucky near Jackson.
Four people died today when a double-decker bus crashed into a railroad overpass in Salina, New York. The Megabus Company said a dozen others were hurt when the bus failed to clear the low overpass. Official say the bus heading to Toronto was not on its designated route when the accident happened, but did not explain why. Megabus has launched an investigation into the accident.
The camera on the dashboard of a police car gives a front row view to a bus hijacking. Officers in Kansas City, Kansas say the hijacker forced the driver off the city bus on Friday. And our affiliate KSHB reports another six people escaped before the man took off. Officers arrested him about 30 minutes later when a tire on the bus caught fire ending the chase.
There have been nearly 2,000 homicides in Juarez, Mexico, just this year, including 25 on Thursday. One of the deadliest days since the raging drug war began. Seven of those victims were women and girls.
Well, despite the unending violence, a 74-year-old grandmother crosses the U.S. border into Juarez almost daily to check on patients at a hospital she started. Meet this week's CNN Hero. Her name is Guadalupe de la Vega.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUADALUPE ARIZPE DE LA VEGA, MEDICAL MARVEL: Juarez was a very nice place. And now, nobody can go out. In one weekend, 51 were killed. This moment of crisis, people have to have a secure place where healing goes on.
My name is Guadalupe Arizpe De La Vega. I started the Hospital De La Familia, and it's in downtown Juarez.
I go to Juarez sometimes, five times in a week. We have been working there for 37 years with the community. Every day, we have from 800 to 1,000 people. Some of them can pay, some of them cannot pay, but we don't turn anybody away.
I want the violence to stop. Everybody's affected. People have become paralyzed by the fear.
Our hospital has not been touched. Our doctors have not been kidnapped. This is a miracle of God, believe me, and everybody knows that's a place for healing, for loving, for empowering people.
I believe that health is the most important of the human rights. Life is all about empowering people, and it's very important to have an institution giving them hope for the future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Still ahead here on CNN --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not talking about burning the crucifix. I'm talking about witch who burn Christ Jesus and Muslims regard it on the same level.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The recent threat of burning the Koran frightened U.S. leaders, fearing for the safety of our troops.
What's behind the radical thinking that nearly guarantees violence if this holy book is touched the wrong way. That conversation is next. You don't want to miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: In tonight's "What Matters," a deeper look into the controversy over the burning of the Koran. Florida Pastor Terry Jones created an uproar when he announced he was going to do it today. Well, this morning, he said he was canceling those plans. While the act itself would be despicable, the reaction was what worried President Obama and military leaders.
What is it that nearly guarantees Muslim radical will commit violence if they see someone burning the Koran?
To find answers, I spoke with the Reverend Jim Wallis, the head of the Sojourners, a network of Social Justice Christians and Imam Plemon El-Amin, who leads the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAM PLEMON EL-AMIN, ATLANTA MASJID OF AL-ISLAM: It would be a sacrilegious move and Muslims -- over a billion Muslims around the world regards the Koran as being the sacred word of god and it's such a total disrespect that it really puts America in that position, just as when people here extremists in Islam, chanting "death to America." They think that all Muslims are like that. And when Muslims hear of a preacher getting ready to burn the Koran, then they begin to think that all Americans or all Christian are like that.
LEMON: It's not the same reaction as someone burns a bible or burns a flag?
EL-AMIN: Yes.
LEMON: It's not the same violent reaction?
EL-AMIN: Muslims, we regard the Koran as the word of god. Not something that was written by the Prophet Mohammed or written by anyone else, but revealed by god and the sacred scriptures in there, if the reverend had read the Koran before he said he never touched a Koran, he hadn't read it, he would see some of the most beautiful scripture about Jesus Christ.
LEMON: I understand what you're saying but how does that explain the violence that happens by burning what is essentially --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: It's a book but you believe --
EL-AMIN: Here's the theological connection which you know, I don't know if everybody is ready for theologians to understand this that as Christians look at Christ, Jesus as being a word from god, Muslims look at the Koran as being a word from god. So I'm not talking about burning a crucifix. I'm talking about what you burn, Christ Jesus and Muslims regard it on the same level as you burning the Koran. That you're burning the word of god.
REV. JIM WALLIS, CEO SOJOURNERS: Don, Don -
LEMON: Go ahead, Reverend. WALLIS: This pastor said, "I wanted to send a message." And the message was one of hate, hatred. And so Christian said, "No. This is not our faith. It doesn't resemble our faith. Shame on you for doing this." I'll tell you, Don, Christians would be upset if people burned the Bible. But I think this pastor was, in effect, burning our Bibles, too, because he was burning the teachings of Jesus. He was disregarding what Jesus said and did.
And so the Koran-burning was like a Bible burning at the same time but he was an extreme marginal figure and the good news is the center came together across the boundaries and said, "this is not faith. This isn't our faith." This is what I'd like. I'd like CNN to cover the thousands of interfaith conversations and service projects that I see all the time, that don't get much attention. What gets attention is a marginal figure, threatening a hate crime and that gets attention.
The extremes from caves of Afghanistan or Florida pastors are the ones that get the attention. But in the middle a lot of people are coming together in very hopeful ways.
LEMON: And there is some truth to that. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see many things covered. But we do have to cover here in the news what people are talking about and people are interested in this and it has created a controversy as we're talking about from the mosque situation to this. So you cannot deny its news value.
But the interesting thing is what I haven't gotten and what I don't understand and maybe it's just me and my thick head of why religion is supposed to be about peace, right? Let's say some knucklehead wants to burn a Bible or burn a Koran, then why would that spark violence? Why wouldn't it be a peaceful, say, turn the other cheek in a sense? I'm going to let you, Reverend, respond to that and I'm going to let you, Imam, respond to it.
WALLIS: You know, again, what I'm saying, in the middle of the country, in the middle of our hearts and our faith, people are responding in just that way. But as you say, it's what people are talking about. People talk about things they hear on TV. I mean, six months ago the mosque was not a controversy.
LEMON: OK. Go ahead.
(CROSSTALK)
WALLIS: It was a cultural center. Daisy Khan, his wife, said her concern a few months ago is whether there would be enough stroller space in the cultural center.
LEMON: Yes, I heard that interview was from Christiane Amanpour (INAUDIBLE)
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Hang on. You got to be respectful of the time here reverend because we got someone else who needs to -- go ahead, imam.
EL-AMIN: I agree with Reverend Jim Wallis in that what has -- the response has been Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, all people coming together and saying this is just not an act that any of us can support and we can't stand by and let it be done. But the other point though, Don, that you might register with you is that freedom of speech. We understand it. And you can do this -- the freedom of expression. You can be free to be ignorant here in America. But you still don't holler out "fire" in a theater.
OK. Now, here's the world theater that this man is saying he would burn a Koran and to the rest of the world, the Muslim world, one billion strong, it's like hollering "fire" in a world theater.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And coming up here on CNN, documenting the events at Ground Zero. How one man used his job as the official fire department photographer at Ground Zero to honor the rescuers and those who died on that terrible day.
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LEMON: Every weekend we like to bring you interesting news items that you may have missed during the week. The first story is California. It made its crackdown on child rapists official this week. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Chelsea's Law into the books. The law requires life without parole for people convicted of forcible sex acts against a child and it mandates life long tracking of habitual sex offenders. The law is named after Chelsea King. Convicted sex offender John Gardener pleaded guilty in April to sexually assaulting and murdering 14-year-old, Chelsea, as well as another 14-year-old Amber Dubois.
Take a close look at this next video. It's a young girl running after a ball in the street. Or is it? It's part of a traffic safety campaign in Canada designed to make drivers slow down at high risk intersections. It's actually a decal on the pavement that creates a 3D illusion. Reaction, well, it's been mixed. Some people worry it may cause drivers to swerve and hit something else, or eventually become immune to the image and hit an actual child in the roadway.
It's 24 million miles away, but the planet Venus is visible tonight and tomorrow. This is a really cool story. Check out these photos from one of our iReporters in Pensacola, Florida. He spotted venues next to the crescent moon last night without a telescope. Abrams Planetarium in Michigan reports tomorrow should offer an extra special celestial treat. You will be able to see Venus and Jupiter about 30 minutes after sunset. That is pretty cool.
You know, there is still no memorial or museum at Ground Zero, nine years after the attacks. But Gary Marlon Suson is tired of waiting. Suson was the official photographer for the New York Firefighters Union during the recovery effort. He pulled together images and artifacts to create his own tribute. CNN producer Dana Garret takes us inside. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here you go. Put those on.
GARY MARLON SUSON, PHOTOGRAPHER & FOUNDER, GROUND ZERO MUSEUM WORKSHOP: Ground Zero Museum Workshop features 100 images and artifacts from the Ground Zero recovery period. We're arguably the smallest museum in New York City. People come from all over the world to listen to these stories to gain a greater understanding of what life was like inside Ground Zero.
For six months, I was at Ground Zero documenting about 18 hours per day.
The first thought that comes to mind when we think of 9/11 is death, the terrorists. However, the recovery brought out the very best in human beings.
When they come in here, they're getting an insider's perspective on what life was like. And oftentimes, that is met with tears. You didn't have to lose someone on September 11 in order to be affected or to feel the pain of what happened.
Each artifact has its own little story. It can be a door knob. It can be a piece of glass or a piece of steel. The clock stuck at 10:02 and marking the collapse of the first tower.
The Today is the Tuesday, September 11 calendar, that was found in the path train subway. Luckily, was given permission to save the artifacts. My only regret is I didn't save more of them or I didn't ask a little bit sooner.
There was a photograph I shot of a firefighter kneeling in the dirt at Ground Zero. It kind of sums up the emotions of that time period.
Can I good rake to dig with?
I'm an actor and a playwright by trade. I encounter so many characters, so many special individuals at Ground Zero. I was inspired to write an original play for the stage called American Brother. We have done several readings of the play --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long have you been at Ground Zero?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since the collapse.
SUSON: American Brother is based on true events, but it surrounds a fictional firefighter, Leo Camp. And Leo is a firefighter who has lost his brother who was an NYPD officer. And Leo refuses to leave Ground Zero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The terrorists took your brother away from, and I'm sorry. If you stay here longer, they're going to get the best of you, too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't ever say that. They can't hurt me, you got it?
SUSON: He has become hateful towards the world, very angry. He feels guilty for the death of his brother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He called me a few minutes later and said a plane went into the tower and he was going to go to help. I told him stay away. He didn't listen.
SUSON: Leo Camp is an emblem of hundreds of firefighters that I met digging for their missing sons, brothers, fathers, firehouse members. I think both the museum and American Brother, the play, both have to do with love that came out of America and the world in support of all those families that were grieving.
I think I will innately know when I have done everything that I can do in the form of art that is to keep the memory alive of those who died. Right now I feel that this is what I'm supposed to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And that's it for us tonight. I'm Don Lemon at the CNN World headquarters in Atlanta. See you back here tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And we leave you tonight with the familiar "Tribute in Light," now synonymous with Ground Zero symbolizing the fallen on that day. Good night.
