A memorial to the victims of 9/11 was opened by the Mayor of London at the heart of the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The 28ft-tall, four ton artwork entitled ‘Since 9/11’ was given to the UK by the New York Port Authority on the proviso that it was given a prominent place in the capital.
It was made out of steel from the World Trade Centre, and had been on temporary display at Battersea Power Station close to the construction site of the new American Embassy. Since it arrived in the UK on the tenth anniversary of the attack it has formed part of an education programme to teach school children about the attacks on New York and Washington.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This pertinent reminder of the 9/11 atrocities is a tremendous new addition to the park that encapsulated the spirit of hope, and tolerance during our Olympic Games. Nearly 14 years may have passed but this prodigious art work will generate continued interest, discussion and memories in the thousands of visitors to its landmark new home.”
The US Ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, also attended today’s unveiling. Prior to the event he said: “I fully support for the work being undertaken by SINCE 9/11 – a great organization that is actively working to encourage discussion of the events surrounding 9/11 among British schoolchildren. This artwork is a beacon for the charity’s focus on hope, tolerance and understanding, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a fantastic location.”
September 11th is one the biggest terrorist attack on British citizens in the country’s history, a total of 67 lost their lives amongst the 2,977 victims. The memorial was designed by the acclaimed sculptor Miya Ando and is the second to have been erected in London.