ACLU Statement on the 22nd Commemoration of 9/11

WASHINGTON — In commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project, issued the following statement:

“The ACLU commemorates the victims, their families, and all of those impacted by the tragic attacks on September 11th, 2001. We also pay particular tribute to John Perry who died in the World Trade Center and who served on the New York Civil Liberties Union board of directors.

“After the attacks, we urged the government to respond with fairness and justice, transparency and accountability, and commitment to fundamental human rights. Instead, to our national shame, political leaders’ fear launched forever wars, torture, indefinite detention, and other horrific abuses. Thanks to the persistent work of impacted communities, independent media, and rights advocates and allies, some of the worst abuses came to light and ended. But, many more continue.

“Today, the government continues to discriminate against Muslim, Black, and Brown people, scapegoating entire communities under the guise of “national security.” We are deeply dismayed to see the same fear-based playbook used against Asian communities in the U.S. and people who dissent against the government. The country we want and need must ground security for everyone in human rights and civil liberties, equality, dignity, and accountability. No exceptions."