The One World Trade Center’s 408-foot spire will be lit red, white, and blue Monday evening, following an attempted terrorist attack in Manhattan Monday morning.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for the spire to be illuminated to recognize New York principles and “freedom and democracy.”
“Tonight, I am directing the World Trade Center spire to be lit in red, white, and blue as a symbol of our essential values of freedom and democracy, a bright spire showing the world that those core principles will always shine brightly in New York,” Cuomo said in a statement.
NEW: NY Gov. Cuomo directs spire of One World Trade Center to be lit red, white and blue following attack. https://t.co/jQ1LnZFyzy pic.twitter.com/dgBSMNBNgj
— ABC News (@ABC) December 11, 2017
Akayed Ullah was identified as the suspect in Monday morning’s bombing and allegedly wore an “improved low-tech explosive device” attached to himself. As Ullah was walking through a tunnel connecting the Eighth Avenue subway lines to the Seventh Avenue subway lines, the device detonated. He burned himself and injured three other people.
Ullah is an immigrant from Bangladesh, who first arrived in the U.S. in February 2011 with a F-43 family immigrant visa, according to the White House. He received a green card and is a legal permanent resident.
Ullah is in custody and is receiving treatment for his injuries at Manhattan’s Bellevue Hospital, according to law enforcement authorities.
Cuomo on Monday thanked those who helped keep New Yorker’s safe from the attack.
“I am deeply grateful to the first responders and security personnel who kept people safe after today’s attack and brought the suspect into custody. Despite this morning’s terrible incident, New Yorkers went about their lives unafraid, undeterred and more united than ever before. We will not allow this to disrupt us. That’s who we are as New Yorkers, and that’s what makes New York New York,” Cuomo added in the statement.
Earlier Monday, Cuomo instructed state agencies, such as the New York State Police and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, to boost security at New York airports, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit systems.
