Manhattan, NY – For the first time, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has spoken out against plans to stage the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, accused mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, at the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan, joining a growing chorus of people who believe the epic trial will be too disruptive and expensive for the city.
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“It would be great if the federal government could find a site that didn’t cost a billion dollars, which using downtown will,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s going to cost an awful lot of money and disturb an awful lot of people,” he said. “Can we provide security? Yes. Could you provide security elsewhere? Yeah, and I mean — the suggestion of a military base is probably a reasonably good one. Relatively easy to supply — to provide security. They tend to be outside of cities so that they don’t disrupt other people.”
It was a marked change from Mr. Bloomberg’s initial reaction to the news, just two months ago, that the trial would be held in Manhattan. ”It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered,” he said at the time.
The mayor is not the only one pondering a military base as the place for a trial. Leaders of Community Board 1 in Lower Manhattan also want the government to study the feasibility of holding the trial elsewhere within the Southern District of New York.
On Tuesday evening, the group’s full board voted 42-to-0 to ask Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to consider a list of alternative sites. They include the Unites States Military Academy at West Point, the National Guard base at Stewart International Airport near Newburgh and a federal prison in Otisville.
Last week, in a joint statement, a list of politicians, including Representative Jerrold L. Nadler, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Daniel L. Squadron and Councilwoman Margaret Chin, urged an alternate site, one less harmful to “our already overburdened Lower Manhattan neighborhoods.”
Although i totally agree with him but why the change of heart suddenly, Mr Mayor?
The mayor knows what he’s doing… Go get them MAYOR.
He’s the best thing that ever happened to our city.
He just wants to leave a solid legacy.
He has no other motive than that.
I’d vote him in for another couple of terms.
GO MIKE!!!
This is Bloomberg saying he doesn’t want to sink with the Obama ship. Two months ago it was not popular to take a stand Obama. Now politicians are taking a pause, and standing up against his wishes.
Everything has changed since the senate race in Mass.
Publically questioning the president and what he does is fair game.
Can they even get a fair trial in NYC? Everyone in NYC has been affected by the 9-11 attacks, I think they are biased.
a bunch of hipocrytes all of them, just because they tought he OBAMA was populer, they followed him blindly allthewhile thinking ok this is what the stupid electrot wants so we will all act the same way ,therby looking away from thier principals and values, but as soon as they feel that WE the pepole are very aware and therfor worried and scared to death , they make a big u turn like saying this guy is just crazy . but WE the pepole r not stupid u just assumed so, I just feel sorry for berry because in politics once u start falling there is no going back just like HAMEN
Can you imagine how much money we save by trying all those terrorists in Cuba. This is a disgrace to throw way so much money just to satisfy some Democrats. Feed the pour children with all this money and stop giving terrorists all this constitutional rights. The constitution is for American decant people, not criminals that want to destroy America with its constitution. Mr Blumberg is playing his political games. His TUCKAS is etching for a seat in the White House. You were not so great in New York. Finish your term, and retire from politics.
Dumb. Keep the trial here.
Having a jury full of Manhattanites begs the question of juror prejudice, and opens a wide door to a mistrial. Better have it at Ft. Leavenworth.