ACLU Statement on the 21st Commemoration of 9/11

WASHINGTON — In commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony D. Romero issued the following statement:

“Over two decades have passed since the tragic attacks on September 11th, 2001. Today, the ACLU commemorates the victims, their families, and all of those impacted. We also want to 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.

“We believe that our country is at its best when we keep America safe and free. The ‘war on terror’ has left a legacy of torture, civilian deaths and injuries, warrantless mass surveillance, indefinite detention, and discriminatory profiling of Muslim, Brown, and Black communities at home and abroad. While the ACLU and our allies did everything we could to combat the policies and prejudice directed at our communities following 9/11, the impact is still felt to this day. It’s abundantly clear that government accountability for wrongdoing is still insufficient.

“Since 1920, the ACLU and its members have worked to preserve our democracy, rights, and liberties — our America — in the most difficult of times. The country we want and need must ground security for everyone in human rights and civil liberties, equality, dignity, and accountability, in action as well as words. No exceptions.”