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Attorney General Nessel Issues Statement in Remembrance of September 11, 2001

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released the following statement to recognize the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001: 

"Like millions of my fellow Americans, I greet this somber anniversary feeling like the tragic attack on our country happened just yesterday. I vividly remember hearing about the first plane hitting the North Tower as I appeared to prosecute a case that was beginning jury selection in Wayne County's Third Circuit Court. I can still see the small TV we gathered around in the clerk's office as we watched the second plane hit. Recognizing the magnitude of what was playing out before our eyes didn't take long, and the fear of what could happen next quickly set in - a feeling we learned to live with in the days, months and years that followed.   

"Today we will all watch replays of those terrifying scenes from 9/11 and its aftermath. We will remember the nearly 3,000 precious lives lost, and the countless others who have since died because they ran toward danger to protect their fellow Americans and our freedoms. We will also mourn the country we knew before the attack, understanding it was a turning point in our nation's history.   

"As I reflect on 9/11, I'm reminded we are once again experiencing devastation, though of a different kind. The pandemic continues to grip our nation, and the unity we once shared - regardless of political parties - seems to diminish with each passing day. 

"It is my fervent hope this 20th anniversary can serve as an example of what we are capable of when faced with unfathomable tragedy. I recall the fear I felt that day, yes, but I also recall the way in which our nation came together to prove our resiliency to the world.   

"I long for that solidarity. Not for ourselves as individuals, but for our loved ones, our communities, and for those who will someday learn about this moment in time and ask how we managed to overcome some of our darkest days." 

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