Almost two and a half decades ago, four planes were hijacked by members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Two planes hit the twin towers in New York City, one hit the Pentagon, and the last crashed into an empty field, potentially heading for the U.S. Capitol or the White House, but overtaken by passengers and members of the crew. On that day, thousands of people were killed and even more hurt. However, despite the attacks taking place 24 years ago, there are still people feeling the pain of the attacks today.
The New York Times details that as of recently, the court cases against potential conspirators in the attacks has not made much progress. While many who participated in the planning and execution of 9/11 have been killed in combat or drone strikes, the known members of al-Qaeda facing the American legal system have been held in Guantánamo Bay and other C.I.A. prisons for years awaiting trial. Families of victims have been fighting for justice and proper sentencing to be served, but the weight and complications of such a huge crime makes the process complex. Fights between the defense and prosecutors over plea deals, sanity cases, and confessions have prolonged the trial’s start date. Because of this, many feel like they can’t move forward and are still worried over justice being served to those who killed beloved members of their families.
Additionally, the amount of fuel and other toxic substances has left a lasting impact on first responders at the scene, who cleaned up all the debris for months in the aftermath. Respiratory issues, cancer and other illnesses plague many New York City Police and Firefighters, as well as others who lived in the area at the time. Many first responders developed GERD–an illness in which patients face constant acid reflux and digestive problems- asthma, COPD, heart disease, skin cancer and more. Asbestos.com confirmed that, in fact, more people have died from the toxins in the air from that day than who died in the initial attack. Though the tragedy was more than 20 years ago, people still feel intense weight from their conditions.
However, the issues those face go far past just physical illness. In fact, many people combat mental health issues because of the attacks on 9/11. Policemen still report experiencing PTSD because of the traumatic events they experienced: watching the buildings fall, fighting to find survivors, and the fear of more attacks.
Even though 9/11 might feel like a lifetime ago, the implications of that day are still causing harm now. Victims’ families can’t rest easy without knowing that those who are responsible are served justice. People there on that fateful day still face unrest and will continue to for many years to come. In order to understand fellow citizens, Americans must realize the continued effects of 9/11 and work to prevent it from happening again.
Information compiled by: The New York Times, asbestos.com
Information provided by asbestos.com: “Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, which impacted many 9/11 first responders and survivors. The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com provides a comprehensive, expert-reviewed guide on symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment options. It is also free to access.”