* Over 500 family members rallied in New York City today. *
President Bush met with 9-11 family members at the White House on Friday.
Mort Weinberg, center, father of New York City firefighter Michael Weinberg who was killed on Sept. 11, 2001, listens as the names of those who died on 9/11 are read aloud during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor Award Ceremony. Nearly four years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Bush praised the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001 and reasserted his commitment to the war on terror. (AP)
Holding up pictures of their loved ones and signs that read “Preserve Sacred Ground,” more than 500 relatives of Sept. 11 victims rallied at the World Trade Center site Saturday against a proposed museum.
Family members worry the International Freedom Center will take attention away from those who died in the attack. They said the museum should not be allowed to show exhibits about struggles for freedom around the world.
“These are important stories to tell,” said Jack Lynch, whose firefighter son Michael Lynch is one of the 2,749 people who died at the trade center. “Elsewhere, not at America’s memorial.”
The rally by more than a dozen family groups came a day before the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. A bouquet of white flowers and several single, red roses were tucked into the metal fence surrounding the site, while huge American flags hung outside nearby office buildings.
President Bush comforts a family member of New York City Firefighter Kevin M. Prior who died on 9/11 during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Sept. 9, 2005. Bush hosted the event for the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor Award Ceremony. Nearly four years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Bush praised the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001 and reasserted his commitment to the war on terror. (AP)