9/11 'Tribute In Light' Back On Following Outcry Over Cancelation

The "Tribute in Light" memorial to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks will happen this year after a massive outcry following its cancelation.

"In the last 24 hours, we've had conversations with many interested parties and believe we will be able to stage the tribute in a safe and appropriate fashion," Alice Greenwald, CEO of the 9/11 Memorial, said in a statement.

Last week, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum announced they would not be turning on the lights because of the coronavirus pandemic. Officials said it was unsafe to bring a crew of more than 40 stagehands and electricians to install the eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon light bulbs used to project two twin beams of light four miles into the sky.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation responded by offering to install the lights this year. They reached out of electricians who installed the lights in previous and promised to hire Broadway workers who have been unemployed since the coronavirus pandemic forced theaters across New York City to shut down.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also stepped in an offered resources to ensure that the lights could be installed safely.

"This year, it is especially important that we all appreciate and commemorate 9/11, the lives lost, and the heroism displayed ‎as New Yorkers are once again called upon to face a common enemy," Cuomo said. "The state will provide health personnel to supervise to make sure the event is held safely while at the same time properly honoring 9/11. We will never forget."

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