WTC: The Looming Towers, January, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
For those of us who lived in New York City, the 11th of September, 2001 was a day of shock and loss, but the years following that day have been a slow-motion tragedy of squandered opportunities and betrayed values. Here’s the story of the first five years following the attacks, told through pictures of signs and displays that I saw in my everyday urban peregrinations, in chronological order.
Sip from History Untarnished, September, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Still Standing, September, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Bus Shelter, September, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
God Is Love, September, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Jules et Jim, December, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Church Sign, December, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Bloomingdales Window, December, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt
Firefighter Statue, January, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
Fallen Officers Shrine, March, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
God Bless America Beware of Dogs, June, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
Memorial Mural, September, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
Arrest Warmonger Bush, September, 2002, photo by Fred Hatt
The flyer on the left reads: “Arrest warmonger Bush! A true genocidal Nuremberg criminal.” The one on the right reads: “I’m digging my grave now, but SOON it will be YOUR turn. War: Get used to it. A message from the Ministry of Homeland Security.”
Floral WTC Mural, January, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Yellow Ribbon, April, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Tribute in Light, September, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Tchotchkes, October, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
America Will, October, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
A Day Hasn't Passed, November, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
Our Response to Violence, November, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt
The caption on the image on the right says: “This will be our response to violence: To make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. -Leonard Bernstein”
Check Cashing, March, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
The caption on the flag reads: “To those we lost and their families, our prayers; to those who helped, our love; to those responsible, our wrath.”
Wanted Dead or Alive, April, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
The poster says: “Wanted Dead or Alive: Osama bin Laden, for mass murder in New York City.”
We Live in Danger, August, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
Ruining the World, September, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
Be Suspicious, November, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
The poster on the trash receptacle reads: “If you see something, say something. Be suspicious of anything unattended. Tell a police officer, a Times Square Alliance employee, or call 1-888-NYC-SAFE.”
Defend the Constitution, November, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
Vote or Die, November, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
Worst President Ever, November, 2004, photo by Fred Hatt
His Nickname Was Boo, January, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
The poster says “George Fernandez. His nickname was Boo. Not just a statistic.”
I Want You, January, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
Seeking Information Alert, February, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt
The flyer says: “Seeking Information Alert. These individuals are being sought in connection with possible terrorists threats against the United States. Contact Information: If you have any information concerning these individuals, please contact the local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.”
Memorial and Trashbins, March, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt
Random Search, May, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt
These Colors Don't Run, July, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt