Biden marks 9/11 attacks by denouncing division, urging unity

President Joe Biden marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Friday by decrying the world’s divisions, urging people to reject hate and division and reach out to one another. Speaking at an event in Washington DC to commemorate the day in 2001 that saw nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked planes were flown into New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Biden described the events of that day as “an act of war” and said that “the things that were ripped from that day could never be fully restored.” However, he called for people to move forward and embrace unity. “On this sacred day, our nation laments its losses, salutes its heroes, and commits to its future,” he said. “We must choose unity over division, hope over fear, light over darkness, and life over death.” The president also called upon Americans to remember the bravery of first responders and members of the military who acted in the face of danger in the aftermath of the attacks. “We cannot bring back the lives or restore the dreams that were stolen by terrorism,” Biden said. “But we can honor the dead by living and treating others with the love and dignity they deserve.” He concluded his remarks by declaring that America is “stronger than ever” and that “when we come together, united, our people and our nation can overcome anything.”