NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a forceful call Wednesday for Americans to maintain “moral clarity” about the September 11 terror attacks, warning against efforts to erase the distinction between the terrorists who carried out the massacre and the first responders who risked their lives to save others. Her remarks came two days before the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Tisch delivered the message with Mayor Zohran Mamdani standing alongside her during the unveiling of an expanded September 11 Memorial Wall at NYPD headquarters at One Police Plaza.

The memorial now includes the names of 469 additional NYPD members who died from illnesses connected to their service following the attacks. The wall serves as a permanent reminder both of the devastation inflicted on New York City and of the extraordinary response by police officers and other first responders.

“Preserving that history also means preserving its moral clarity,” she said.

“The men who attacked this city were terrorists. The men and women who ran into the towers to save innocent lives were heroes. Twenty-five years cannot be allowed to blur that distinction and shame on those who do.”

Tisch did not identify anyone by name as the target of her comments. Her remarks came, however, amid renewed attention to past comments by political streamer Hasan Piker, who drew widespread criticism after saying in 2019 that “America deserved 9/11.” Piker, who has supported Mamdani politically, subsequently said that his remark was intended as commentary about what he viewed as the consequences of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

Mamdani showed no visible reaction as Tisch delivered her comments.

Later Wednesday, the mayor and police commissioner appeared together for a security briefing detailing preparations for Friday’s 25th anniversary commemorations of the September 11 attacks.

The NYPD is planning an extensive security operation in Lower Manhattan for the anniversary ceremonies, including an expanded police presence, counterterrorism officers, specialized units and coordination with federal, state and local agencies.

Piker has since sought to clarify his controversial 2019 statement, explaining that he was arguing that American actions in the Middle East can produce consequences that ultimately rebound against the United States.

{Matzav.com}