On the 17th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement:

“17 years ago, nearly 3,000 people were murdered in the worst terrorist attack in our history. It was an attack not just on our people but on our values and our way of life. But instead of succumbing to fear and division, the American people came together and refused to allow terrorism to triumph. Amid the chaos, we witnessed the courage of first responders who ran into the smoke and ordinary heroes who sacrificed to save others. And in the nearly two decades since, a new generation of heroes has risen to serve the country we love and protect us at home and abroad.

“On this anniversary, we must keep all those affected by this tragedy in our hearts. We must hold fast to the values we share as Americans. And we must ensure that hope and compassion will always outlast hatred and cruelty.”