Downtown Express photos by Milo Hess

Reflections from a photographer

On Sept. 11, 2001 planes were hijacked by terrorists and flown into the twin towers in my neighborhood. On the ninth anniversary of this tragic day, we were hijacked again. Hijacked by bible carrying, right wing zealots screaming their anti-abortion diatribe behind NYPD barricades.

We were hijacked by liberals, socialists and communists proclaiming their support for Park51. We were hijacked by Palestinians, screaming, “Get out of Afghanistan and free so and so.” We were hijacked by 9/11 conspiracy theorists claiming a government cover-up. We were hijacked by self proclaimed real Americans hiding behind the stars and stripes yelling, “Stop the Mosque!”

These people are not my neighbors. They don’t live here, they do not send their kids to school here, shop here, eat in neighborhood restaurants or vote here.

What did any of this have to with remembering those who died on 9/11 a few blocks from me?

Nothing.

A fellow photographer also shooting the mayhem summed it up.

“You should have to show a New York State driver’s license to be here,” he said.

Maybe, that wasn’t such a bad idea.

— Milo Hess