NIMBY: New Yorkers Want Venue Change for 9/11 Trials

By Kamika Dunlap on January 28, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

As the upcoming 9/11 trials in New York City draw near, many residents say NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) and urge the U.S. Justice Department to move the venue.

New York City business and community leaders say the trials should not take place in the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan.

Even NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed.

According the Associated Press, Mayor Bloomberg recently told federal officials he would be "very happy" if the trial was moved. As previously discussed, professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other 9/11 detainees will be tried in a civilian court in lower Manhattan.

Recently, Rep. Peter King introduced a bill to block 9/11 trials in New York City. The bill would prohibit the use of Justice Department funds to try Guantanamo detainees in federal civilian courts.

Downtown Manhattan civic leaders and the Real Estate Board of New York are calling for the for the Justice Department to expand its list of possible venues, and submitted the names of federal and military facilities in the state deemed more suitable for the 9-11 trials.

Other locations that have been suggested include the U.S. Military Academy at West Point or Governors Island in New York Harbor.

Residents say to accommodate these trials is simply too large a burden on New Yorkers and the city's resources.

As previously discussed, the security plans for the 9/11 trials cost more than $75 million. The plans call for extra law enforcement and protection of the city's bridge and transit systems.

Recently, a bipartisan group of six senators urged Attorney General Eric Holder to pull the plug on his decision to send suspects in the Sept. 11 attacks to federal court and stop treating terror suspects like common criminals.

Copied to clipboard