FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A sign displayed alongside a September 11 memorial at Fresno State was altered after its design drew criticism online, with some students calling an image of a plane pointed toward the Twin Towers insensitive.
A sign for Young America’s Foundation’s “9/11: Never Forget Project” displayed at Fresno State on Sept. 11, 2026
The memorial was organized by the Young America’s Foundation chapter at Fresno State as part of the organization’s nationwide “9/11: Never Forget Project.” American flags were placed on campus to represent each person killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
But a TikTok showing the memorial gained attention because of the design on signs placed in front of the flags. The signs feature a graphic depicting the Pentagon, a plane and the Twin Towers alongside the words “Never Forget Project.”
Photos later showed black tape covering the plane on at least one of the signs at Fresno State.
Black tape covers the image of a plane on a “9/11: Never Forget Project” sign at Fresno State after the design drew criticism on social media.
Young America’s Foundation told FOX26 the memorial is intended to honor the 2,977 victims killed in the attacks and educate younger generations about what happened.
“The vow to ‘Never Forget’ is slowly being erased,” YAF Media Coordinator Rob Tandy said in a statement. “For a generation of Americans born after September 11, 2001, the attacks are increasingly something they know only from history books, photographs and stories told by others.”
The organization said its Never Forget Project began in 2003 and has resulted in more than 14.7 million American flags being planted at campuses and communities across the country.
“This project is meant to honor those we lost on September 11 and educate students and the public about what happened that day,” Tandy said.
YAF said students nationwide mark the anniversary through flag displays, moments of silence and educational events.
“This year, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, that mission matters more than ever,” Tandy said. “We will remember what happened. We will remember who we lost. We will teach the next generation the truth. And above all, we will never forget.”
It was not immediately clear who placed the tape over the plane or whether the sign was altered by someone affiliated with Fresno State or the memorial organizers.