ANNIVERSARY THREAT
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanTomorrow marks the ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Time will not fade the interruption of lives and the way that America was changed forever.
Security alerts are heightened in both New York City and Washington, D.C. and police presence is noticeable due to an interception of communications pointing to an attack on US soil from an al Queda operative in Pakistan. This is coming from a credible source that has provided accurate information in the past. Checkpoints have been set up at bridges and tunnels as a preventative measure.
Intelligence officials are sifting through communications to determine if there are conclusive facts to support this threat. It has been revealed that two individuals believed to be involved in the potential 9/11 anniversary plot did enter the U.S. last week and are Americans of Arab descent. Government officials are reviewing flight logs and manifests. It was thought that there might be a third collaborator and somehow it is thought that the person may be traveling through Europe but that has not been confirmed.
The plan of attack may involve a vehicle-borne explosive device but the exact means of attack is still unclear and yet unconfirmed.
This entire plot may be the result of a directive from the newly appointed head of al Queda, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Suspicious activity such as two stolen trucks in the New York City area and calls on suspicious packages has increased significantly over the last few days in both New York City and Washington, D.C.
Today, President Barack Obama met with his senior national security team about the threat. His statement coming out of the meeting was, “Pursue vigorously all threat information and ensure a heightened state of vigilance and preparedness.”
Parking garages are being swept for explosives and digital license plate readers are being used to determine if there are stolen vehicles. Individuals are being questioned that previously raised security concerns in the past.
Bin Laden’s recent demise may have aggravated al Queda to plan this attack on this symbolic date.
However, Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Vincent Gray as well as other officials are urging citizens to go about their normal everyday activities but just remain vigilant.
The ceremonies for 9/11 will go on as planned tomorrow in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. As Americans we are strong and steadfast in the eye of evil and we will never falter. September 11th, 2001 made us a much stronger nation and nobody will take that away from us.
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