Hot on the heels of the killing of Osama bin Laden, who masterminded the World Trade Center attacks nearly a decade ago, President Barack Obama will be visiting Ground Zero today specifically for a wreath-laying ceremony. AM NY reports that Obama will not speak publicly, but will spend his time meeting with selected families of victims of the tragedy in private.
Obama’s NYC itinerary is as follows: He will fly into JFK via Air Force on at 10:40 AM, meet with the NYPD and FDNY, as well as Port Authority Police. He will take part in the wreath-laying ceremony at 1:25 PM and have a private meeting at the September 11 Memorial Museum with 50 9/11 victims’ families selected by the White House. He is slated to leave the city at 3:10 PM.
Security will be on high alert throughout the city during his visit. Additional measures include plainclothes officers positioned amongst uniformed cops; sharpshooters stationed on rooftops; manholes welded shut; and mailboxes and garbage cans removed along the president’s travel route to prevent attacks from hidden bombs.
PATH train service to the WTC station will be suspended while Obama is there. Street closings in Lower Manhattan are also expected.
What do you think of Barack Obama’s visit to NYC today?
