*update: This article was written prior to news coming out that New York in fact WILL HAVE the tribute of lights. Perhaps the national outcry led to this decision. . https://www.wcvb.com/article/911-tribute-in-light-wont-illuminate-the-skies-this-year-due-to-covid-19-concerns/33600302
THE ORIGINAL ORIGINAL HERE:
Every year New Yorkers and Americans alike are witness to a tradition that began after the September 11, 2001 attacks: Two beaming lights thrust into the sky to emulate the rising Twin Towers that were destroyed that day.
They were beacons of bravery! Symbolism that American might can make it through even the darkest of hours before the blazing sunshine of dawn.
Until the 19th time.
Those famous symbols are canceled this year due to the Coronavirus.
The New York POST among the sources reporting:
The annual “Tribute in Light” display requires a large crew to pull off, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum said on its website, posing health risks this year that “were far too great.”
The museum said it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to nix the lights, but announced an alternative citywide initiative to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The new plan, dubbed the “Tribute in Lights,” will feature buildings across the city lighting up their facades and spires in blue on 9/11.
Instead this year buildings across the city are being welcomed to light their facades in a ‘Tribute of Lights.’
And this year, with so much controversy over police shootings and law enforcement tactics, the ‘blue’ aura may cause some eyebrows to rise:
“Many iconic New York City buildings will be lighting their spires and facades in blue to honor those killed on 9/11.”
But it’s not just the lights! It’s the names too!
The names of the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11 will NOT be read by families at this year’s ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York “out of an abundance of caution” during the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said..
An abundance of caution..
BACK TO THE LIGHTS
Just to showcase a glimpse into what it takes to make the tribute, this video from 2007:
And not to be a presumptuous 20th century boy, but it sure looks like there is good potential for social distancing and safety precautions based off of the short snippets of video and photography.
This is a a beautiful time-lapse of the tribute several short years ago on the tenth anniversary of the attacks in 2011: