The twin beams of light — a tribute to those whose lives were lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City — won’t shine this year because of the coronavirus.
Michael Frazier, a spokesperson for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, told news media organizers were worried about the potential health risks to workers involved in setting up the display.
“The world’s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as part of this year’s tributes,” he said.
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean, who lives in New York City and whose husband, a member of the New York City Fire Department, survived the 9/11 attack, criticized the decision.
She described the museum’s plan to forgo the lights tribute as “a disgrace.”
Faithwire has reached out to the museum for additional comments. If a representative responds, this article will be updated to include his or her remarks.
In lieu of the twin beams of light, the 9/11 memorial is planning an alternative display that will include spires through Manhattan being illuminated in blue, Frazier told local news outlets.
Citing the coronavirus pandemic, organizers for the tribute announced in July they would also be cancelling the portion of the annual memorial when the families of victims read aloud the names of their slain loved ones. Instead, the museum will play recorded name readings from its “In Memoriam” exhibition.