Osama Bin Laden is Dead

A large crowd, made up of mostly young people, gathered in the intersection of Church Street and Vesey Street early on May 2, just ours after President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was dead. They chanted pro-American slogans such as "USA" and singing songs such as "God Bless America." Vulgar chants associated with Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda were also shouted, as people climbed street light poles and stood on top of phone booths. The higher someone climbed the street light, the more cheers they got.

NYPD and Port Authority police stood by, watching the crowd of several hundred people, in which there was a lot of alcohol. By 1:30 police had barricaded Church Street from traffic. At 3:00 a.m. the crowd was still several hundred people.

There were flags galore, draped around the shoulders of celebrators and military personal showed up in dress uniform. Men in kilts made their way down church street playing bag pipes. People took pictures with them and the military personal. A man walked around with an ipad that read, "Obama 1, Osama 0." It was also a media frenzy, with dozens of video cameras and lights.



A small memorial was placed at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site display, with four candles and a sign that said,"Dedicated to all those who fought, suffered and died to bring us this moment. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Sept. 11, 2001 - May 1, 2011." Maxine Bright, of Yorkville, went up to the memorial and quickly lit a candle before leaving the site.

My photos ran on the Tribeca Trib.