This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Obama's Visit to Ground Zero: Your Reactions

President Obama made a whirlwind visit to Manhattan on Thursday afternoon

The coffee shops throughout Fulton St. and Dekalb Ave. were filled with conversation about Obama’s visit to Ground Zero, and his choice to quietly lay down a wreath at the site instead of giving a speech.

President Barack Obama made a visit to the city Thursday afternoon, a gesture of shared mourning and solidarity with New Yorkers whose lives were forever altered on Sept. 11, 2001.

“The fact that he wasn’t giving a speech spoke to how solemn of an event this is supposed to be,” said Tarik Elhussein, 22. “I have mixed feelings about celebrating someone’s death, but between visiting the firefighters and just laying down a wreath, I think Obama did a good job dealing with the situation.”

Find out what's happening in Fort Greene-Clinton Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to his visit to Ground Zero and meeting with first responders, Obama also privately met with families who were victims of 9/11.

“Meeting with the families of victims who were killed during the attacks is simply another step towards closure,” said Olanike Alabi, state committeewoman for the 57th district. “My hope is that many of of us will adopt his demeanor of humility by not gloating or celebrating. Instead, we must continue to promote peace.”

Find out what's happening in Fort Greene-Clinton Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Before laying a wreath at the World Trade Center site, Obama joined firefighters and former mayor Rudy Giuliani at Engine 54 firehouse in Midtown, which lost 15 members in the attacks. 

While there, NY1 cameras caught the president making some off-the-cuff remarks.

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the American people for the sacrifices that you make every single day, and I just want to let you know that you’re always going to have a president and an administration that’s always going to have your back the way you’ve gotten the backs of the people of New York over these last many years,” Obama said. “Obviously, we can’t bring back our friends that were lost. I know each and every one of you have grieved for them, but also tried to deal with their families and children, trying to give them comfort and support.”

Security was intense throughout the city, with street closures taking place to clear city traffic for the president’s motorcade, and police stepping up patrols and searches on subways.

At Ground Zero, the wreathe-laying was a solemn affair. Obama did not make any formal remarks, but shook hands and traded words with members of the honor guard, family members of victims, and local politicians.

New York City residents lined the streets, packed up against barricades at the intersection of Barclay and Church streets north of the World Trade Center site.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were at the location as well.

We asked several local residents and political leaders what their thoughts were on Obama’s visit to Ground Zero. Click on their photos to see their reactions.

For video of Obama's visit Ground Zero,

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Fort Greene-Clinton Hill