Author Archives: Michael Barasch
Advocacy Group Sheds Light on Opponents of 9/11 Benefits Extension
Advocacy organization Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act launched a website on July 2, allowing anyone to research lawmakers’ stances on the extension of the law, along with any comments an elected official has said regarding the attacks of September 11, 2001. The creation of this website comes at a critical moment […]
After Decades, Crossroads Reopen at World Trade Center Site
In late June, pedestrians were able to use crossroads in lower Manhattan that have not been used since the 1960s. The crossroads were initially taken over by the construction of the original World Trade Center towers, and after September 11, 2001, the area was closed to the public and the site was dedicated to rescue […]
Governor Signs Five-Year Extension to 9/11 Task Force
On July 8, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bipartisan bill extending the work of a task force designed to provide assistance to 9/11 first responders. The bill was sponsored by two Brooklyn lawmakers and extends the efforts of the Worker Protection Task Force Act for five more years. Through the extension, the task […]
Local Neighbors Honor Local 9/11 Victims in Queens
Neighbors in New York’s Queens borough came together on June 20 to memorialize three residents who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. The neighborhood service also included the unveiling and dedication of a Fallen Heroes Mural depicting the faces of the three men over the original World Trade […]
Pope Francis Announces Plans to Visit September 11 Memorial During US Visit
Pope Francis announced June 30 that he plans to visit the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York during his upcoming trip to the United States. According to reports, Francis will pay his respects to victims of the 9/11 attacks through his first visit to the memorial site as pope. He plans to hold […]
New York Firefighters Travel to Washington, Attend Zadroga Act Hearing
In June, 56 New York firefighters traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend a hearing on the extension of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, causing the House of Representatives subcommittee to seek out a larger room. The firefighters packed the space in an intentional effort to demonstrate that their voices need to be […]
Advocates Pressure Congress to Extend Benefits for 9/11 First Responders
Advocates from the World Trade Center Health Program are urging lawmakers in Congress to pass an extension of a law that provides medical benefits for 9/11 first responders. The law, called the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, took effect in 2011 and provides medical monitoring and treatment for those who worked at Ground […]
Could Wall Street Workers Have Been Affected by Ground Zero Dust?
Recently, the story of Dave Innocenti, a former employee at the New York Stock Exchange, made national news. Today, the former broker, who regularly biked, ran and lifted weights, has to walk with a cane and use an electric chairlift to get up stairs at just 58 years old, thanks to rheumatoid arthritis he developed […]
Fox News Settles Fair Use Lawsuit Over 9/11 Photo on Facebook
The Fox News Network has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed over the posting to Facebook of a copyrighted photo taken on September 11, 2001. A federal judge recently ruled the network was not protected by fair use doctrine when it posted an iconic photo called “Raising the Flag at Ground Zero” to its […]
