Politics & Government
Osama bin Laden's Assassination: Your Reactions
President Obama announced on Sunday evening that the Al Qaeda leader has been killed
Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, was killed in Pakistan, President Barack Obama said during a press conference Sunday night.
The announcement was the sole focus of conversation on Fulton St. in the early hours of the morning. For many local residents, some of whom were within striking distance of the towers at the time, the news of bin Laden's death was welcomed.
"It's closure for me in some ways," said Joe Patrice, 34, an attorney. "I actually went through the basement of the towers at 6:00 a.m. on my way home that day, and lived two blocks away. When I went to sleep that morning, I was woken up by the planes crashing into them.
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For others, the announcement brought a sense of worry of what's to come next.
"It's not like we won the war on terrorism," said Jim Freeman, 25, a student. "I know people who are serving in Afghanistan and I'm worried about them. I've seen the effects of war from friends who came home from the military. When the door slams, they hit the ground."
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An operation spearheaded by the Central Intelligence Agency resulted in bin Laden's death during a raid Sunday in northwest Pakistan, the president said.
"His demise should be welcome by all who believe in peace and human dignity," Obama said. "On nights like this one, we can say to those families who've lost loved ones to Al Qaeda's terror - justice has been done."
The president said the U.S. was in possession of bin Laden's body.
In a statement, City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said bin Laden's death was a "milestone" for the families of 9/11's victims.
"The death of Osama bin Laden is a welcome milestone for the friends and families of those killed on 9/11 and for all who remain tenaciously engaged in protecting New York from another attack," Kelly said.
"After September 11, 2001, we gave our word as Americans that we would stop at nothing to capture or kill Osama bin Laden," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday night. "After the contribution of millions, including so many who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, we have kept that word."
