9/11 First Responders Snubbed From 10th Anniversary Ceremony

Mayor Bloomberg says there isn't enough space for them

With the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center approaching, the city of New York is planning a commemorative ceremony where victim's families, politicians and two US presidents will be in attendance to reflect on the fateful day. However, the men and women who showed up first to the scene ten years ago to rescue people, will not.

Claiming that there isn't enough space at Ground Zero to accommodate them, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office has not invited first responders to the ceremony saying, "we are again focused on accommodating victims' family members, given the space constraints, we're working to find ways to recognize and honor first responders, and other groups, at different places and times."

It should be noted that first responders weren't officially invited to the nine previous commemoration either, but they were allowed to show up. This time however they were blatantly told that there won't be any space for them, so don't bother. While some responders are heartbroken over the decision, others aren't surprised and say that it's New York and the government's latest effort to exclude them, and their health issues, from public view.

"I don't think they want us there because of all the problems we've had," responder Stephen Petrovich said to CNN. Petrovich inhaled carcinogens while helping at the scene. "It's like we've been dropped off the face of the earth."