9/11 Families United Hosts Press Conference Expressing Outrage Towards Saudi-funded LIV Golf Tournament Being Held 50 Miles Away From Ground Zero

Terry Strada, 9/11 Families United Chair, again calls on President Biden to hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accountable for their role in supporting al-Qaeda and the 9/11 hijackers.

Bedminster, N.J. – Today, as members of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour prepare to continue “sportswashing” the Kingdom’s reputation by playing in another tournament on U.S. soil, 9/11 Families United and members of the 9/11 community held a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, to express their outrage and disappointment with the golfers who have chosen to play in the Saudi-funded league as well as Presidents, past and present, who have failed to hold the Kingdom accountable.  This week’s tournament is being held just 50 miles away from Ground Zero despite recently declassified documents, most of which were not made available to the 9/11 Commission, that demonstrate Saudi funding and support for al-Qaeda and the 9/11 hijackers that enabled them to carry out the worst terrorist attacks on American soil.

Speaking at the press conference was Terry Strada, formerly of Basking Ridge, N.J. and National Chair of 9/11 Families United, widow of Tom Strada who lost his life while working on the 104th floor in the North Tower;  Alison Crowther, mother of Welles Remy Crowther, who was an American equities trader and volunteer firefighter known for saving as many as 18 lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks in which he lost his own life; and Matthew Bocchi, a New Vernon, N.J. native, who is the oldest son of four who lost his father John Bocchi, who lost his life while working in the North Tower on the 105th floor. 

In her opening remarks, Terry Strada reminded everyone that, “On September 11, 2001, after nearly three hours of unprecedented terror by 19 Saudi-funded terrorists, Bedminster and surrounding towns came together in extraordinary ways. 750 innocent people from NJ were brutally murdered, leaving over 1,000 children in our towns without a parent, including my three who were seven, four, and four days old.”

Additionally, she added, “… consider that just 50 miles from where they will tee off on Friday, is a National Museum on hallowed ground ensuring visitors from around the world ‘Never Forget’ and a repository safeguarding charred remains of 40% of the victims who have never been identified or returned home for a proper burial, including my husband, Tom Strada.”

Strada continued saying, “My disappointment in the PGA defectors and leadership of LIV Golf is matched now by my disappointment in each Administration since September 11 as I witness the steady decline of America’s position in its relationship with the Kingdom.  By allowing the Kingdom to continue operating with impunity, unchallenged about its violations of the sanctity of human life, past and present Presidents—from both political parties—have failed us all.”

In her remarks, Alison Crowther said the Kingdom is attempting to legitimize the Saudi image by pouring money into sport-washing.  Calling it “blatantly corrupt” she said the deep emotional wounds of the 9/11 attacks, “continue to haunt us today.”

Finally, Matthew Bocchi said that, “We are here to voice our concerns about accepting LIV and to declare that we, as 9/11 families, are not going away. We have had every President since 9/11 evade holding the Kingdom responsible for their role in the attacks of September 11th, and we believe they need to be held accountable for murdering our loved ones and injuries to others.”

“As 9/11 families, we are all survivors of the trauma we experienced and are relentless in our pursuit of justice. We are infuriated, hurt, and feel as if we have been let down again by professional golfers partnering with the country responsible for our pain and suffering,” Bocchi concluded.  

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About 9/11 Families United:

9/11 Families United is an organization of family members of those murdered in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as many of those who survived, were injured in, or sickened from the attacks—a community of more than 10,000 people. More background and contact information can be found at www.911familiesunited.org.