9/11 Memorial (Arizona) - Controversy Over Design Intent

Controversy Over Design Intent

The memorial's unveiling five years to the date of the 9/11 attacks generated controversy on conservative weblogs, with many concerned residents alleging an anti-American bias in some of the written statements and a perceived pro-Islam bias based on an alleged crescent shape of the memorial.

Some of the written statements reflecting controversial views inscribed in the memorial include: "Erroneous U.S. Airstrike Kills 46 Uruzgan Civilians", "Congress Questions Why CIA and FBI Didn't Prevent Attacks", "Middle East violence motivates attacks in the US", and "You Don't Win Battles of Terrorism With More Battles". Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said he was stunned to learn of the inscriptions. “To politicize it to me is absolutely outrageous, instead of a memorial to remember those who have sacrificed their lives,” he said. The memorial's design was also criticized by Len Munsil who was running against Napolitano for Arizona Governor at the time of the design unveiling.

In response to public criticism, the Arizona state commission responsible for the memorial has promised to review the context of the inscriptions. Chairman Billy Shields is saddened by the political controversy, but promised to reconvene and review the inscriptions.