I have lived in New York for for 16 years. I was here in Manhattan on 9/11.
I don't think that there should be a new mosque built so close to Ground Zero. Why?
The answer is another question. Why build it there?
I went downtown to the proposed mosque site today just to see how close the proposed site is. And yes it IS very close. There were a handful of protesters there. One had a banner saying, "Would moderate muslims build a mosque here?"
So true.
The demo was small. And people were polite - on both sides. There were the typical New York arguments. More cops than protesters.
After taking a few photos I wandered down to Ground Zero. I remembered how I used to pass through the WTC when I lived in New Jersey and commuted to Queens.
And yes I do believe that the people who want to build a mosque there have, and should have, every right. I just think having a mosque so close is unneccessary and insensitive.
I also have a right - the right to not want it there.
More photos from what I saw at the demo are HERE.
