July 14, 2010

(Washington, DC) – The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which is representing a New York City firefighter who survived the 9-11 terrorist attacks, is urging New York CIty officials to landmark the site of a planned Islamic mosque, where parts of one of the hijacked planes landed, and to preserve the memory of 9-11 and its victims.

"The fact is that this is not the location to build an Islamic mosque," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  "This is sacred ground and for many family and friends of the 9-11 victims building an Islamic mosque on this site would be offensive.  We've heard from thousands of Americans - and many New Yorkers - who understand that such a move would be a tragic mistake.  We will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that this mosque is not built near Ground Zero."

The ACLJ represents Tim Brown, a firefighter and first responder, who survived the Twin Towers’ collapse and lost nearly 100 friends.

A legal team from the ACLJ attended a hearing yesterday before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which put off a decision on whether to declare the existing building a landmark - where a wheel from 9-11 ringleader Mohammed Atta’s hijacked plane imbedded in the building itself.  A landmark designation would preserve the historical integrity of this building and not allow it to be demolished for a 13-story mosque.

ACLJ's Deputy Political Director Sam Nunberg told the commissioners:  "It would be a travesty to permit this building to be removed.  It would be like removing the sunken ships from Pearl Harbor in order to erect a memorial for the Japanese Kamikazes killed in the surprise attack of U.S. Troops."

The ACLJ, which has heard from thousands of Americans who oppose the Ground Zero mosque, will continue to monitor developments in New York and is considering legal action if the city does not comply with proper procedural requirements in its decision-making process.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.