9/11 Day Organization Urges Presidential Candidates to Pause Campaigns on September 11

As the United States approaches the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the nonprofit organization 9/11 Day is calling on presidential candidates to temporarily halt their campaign activities in observance of the solemn occasion. The organization has written to the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, asking them to voluntarily suspend all political advertising and campaign-related social and traditional media activities on September 11, 2024.

9/11 Day, which founded and organizes the federally recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, established the '9/11 Campaign Moratorium' in 2004. This initiative aims to honor the victims, their families, first responders, recovery workers, and members of the military who responded to the attacks. The moratorium has historically received widespread support from major political parties and candidates.

David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day, emphasized the importance of national unity that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks. 'We weren't Red States or Blue States. We were the United States, and we were all Americans,' Paine stated. He urged candidates to remember this moment of unity and pledge to observe the traditional moratorium on campaign-related activities for 9/11.

Jay S. Winuk, co-founder and executive vice president of 9/11 Day, whose brother Glenn J. Winuk died in the line of duty during the attacks, added, 'Together, let's honor those lost and injured on 9/11, and those who rose in service, by doing good deeds on this day. Let's focus not on political and other differences but rather on our common humanity.'

The organization has requested that campaigns pause all political advertising and limit campaign-related appearances and media activities between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on September 11. Instead, 9/11 Day encourages candidates and their staff to engage in non-partisan activities that promote national unity and allow Americans to remember and pay tribute without political distraction.

Since its inception, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance has grown into the nation's largest annual day of charitable engagement, with more than 30 million Americans participating each year. In 2009, the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama formally recognized September 11 as an annual National Day of Service and Remembrance under federal law.

The impact of this request extends beyond the presidential campaigns. By calling for a pause in political activities, 9/11 Day aims to create a space for national reflection and unity, reminding Americans of the spirit of togetherness that emerged in the wake of the tragedy. This annual observance serves as a powerful reminder of the nation's resilience and the importance of coming together in times of crisis.

As the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies, the response of the candidates to this request will be closely watched. Their decision to honor the moratorium could set a tone for how the nation collectively remembers and reflects on one of the most significant events in recent American history.

The 9/11 Day organization continues to work towards its mission of inspiring millions of Americans to rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that arose in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Through volunteer service projects and educational initiatives, the organization strives to keep the promise to 'Never Forget' while encouraging acts of service that honor the legacy of those affected by the attacks.