As we prepare to move into the weekend, many of us are thinking about Sunday the 11th specifically. Some of us remembering what our day was like 10 years ago and others remembering how the events of that day changed their life forever. No matter if you lost someone that day or not, the events forever made an impression in our minds and changed us as a country. So, if you are looking for a way to commemorate 9/11 or just remember, there are a few options right here in Downtown.
1. The Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders will host "One Light," a civic and interfaith gathering set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:15 p.m., interfaith groups will gather at City Hall's Spring Street steps.
There will be music, prayer and reflection. "Together we will welcome all faith groups, and persons of no faith, by extending the hospitality of the Abrahamic tradition shared as Jews, Muslims and Christians serving on the Religious Leaders Council," said Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. On Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 555 W. Temple St. will host a remembrance event, with the Angeles Chorale and the OLA Choir. Both public events are free.
2. LA Vs. War II: Art for Peace in the Hope Era returns for three days from Sept. 9 -11, 2011 commemorating the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a massive group art exhibition in Downtown Los Angeles at The Vortex Philanthropic Space.
Artists from LA and beyond will examine the questions: After 10 years of the Global War on Terror, where do we now stand as a nation? Is the world a safer place? Where does the Peace movement go from here?
3. All I Can Hear Are The Sirens @ Downtown Independent Theatre (251 S. Main, 213.617.1033) Sunday, September 11, Screening at 2pm.
Artist/photographer Cheryl Younger created All I Can Hear Are the Sirens, as a primary document, a first-person reaction that sharply contrasts with the news accounts by CNN and the press of the 9/11 attack. Younger witnessed the towers crumble from the roof of her home 10 blocks away. Her documentary reflects her own response as well as that of others she encountered as she traveled through the streets of Manhattan in the months that followed.
The screening marks the film’s premiere. A discussion with the filmmaker will follow the screening.
If you choose to do one of these events or something on your own, just be sure to take a moment to remember all those that lost their lives, either because it was taken from them or because they gave it to save someone else. Remember the families of all those involved, the K-9's that helped comfort and rescue or recover people and of course the people of and the city of New York. I think it is important to remember the events of the day and memorialize those we lost, but don't dwell on the sadness, focus on the strength we all gained and hopefully the wisdom to prevent it from happening again.
