Thousands of union members marched through the streets of Lower Manhattan Tuesday to honor the workers who ran toward danger on Sept. 11, 2001, as the city prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Virtually every major union in New York City was represented at the annual celebration, which also recognized the union workers who helped the city recover and rebuild in the aftermath of 9/11.
“We lost 2, 977 people that day, including 24 of our 32BJ union brothers and sisters,” one worker said. “My fellow commercial cleaners, window washers, security officers, many of who gave their lives trying to guide firefighters and first responders into the building as they knew so well.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the rally to show their support for union workers.
“This is where we take a moment to honor you, who make this state run,” Hochul said.
Mamdani highlighted union workers who have stepped up during some of the city’s most challenging moments.
“The nurses who took a double shift, the electrician who restored power after the storm, the warehouse worker who unionized against all odds, we are here with you, and we are here for you,” the mayor said.
Union workers played a vital role in the recovery effort after the attacks.
First responders made the ultimate sacrifice, while transit workers helped keep the city moving and construction workers cleared 16 acres of debris from the World Trade Center site.
Members of Laborers’ Local 79 were among those who took part in the cleanup.
“We’re gonna come here to remember 9/11, what happened on 9/11. My union, Local 79, was there about the cleanup and we lost a lot of members, as well,” Abdoulaye Sakho, a Construction & General Building Laborers Local 79 member, said. “So this city is a union city. We’re all united. We are here to make sure we come together.”