Thousands of people gathered at Ground Zero early Monday morning to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden.
“I’m here for closure,” said Fabrizio Goldstein, 29, who was in New York during the attacks, “It’s one of those rare days when all New Yorkers come together.”
People stayed for hours chanting “Yes we can! Yes we did!” while adorned with American flags.
“I wanted to come participate in this historic moment,” said Mike McCready, a music executive, who lives just four blocks away from the World Trade Center, “America needed to feel good— we needed a win.”
Revelers took turns climbing the sign at the intersection of Church and Vesey Street, dangling Old Glory next to the site where nearly 3,000 people died less than a decade ago.
At one point, several servicemen scaled the sign to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I really appreciate that everyone’s here,” said Merchant Marine Peter Paulson, 21.
Stereos blasted Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” and the crowd sang together.
“We lost a friend here and we’re paying our respects,” said Chris Rinaldi, 25, a history teacher from New Jersey.
“We hate to celebrate someone dying, but it’s one less evil in the world.”
