NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Rudy Giuliani said Friday that the pre-recorded reading of victims' names at the 9/11 Memorial was "disgraceful."
Giuliani, who was mayor on Sept. 11, 2001, criticized the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's decision to have recorded audio of the names for the 19th anniversary, instead of a live reading as has been done in years past.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum said the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" due to health concerns amid the pandemic.
"I find it disgraceful that their names are being recited, pre-recorded," Giuliani told reporters. "I see that, whether it's witting or unwitting, as part of the movement of denial."
"If I was the mayor, this wouldn't have happened," Giuliani also said, according to the New York Post. "They wouldn't be allowed to hold the ceremony with pre-recorded names. I'd take the tape recording and burn it, instead of burning the American flag, and I'd get people up and read the names."
Instead of attending the official event, Giuliani went to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation ceremony at nearby Zuccotti Park, where the names were read in-person.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is the chairman of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, attended the official event along with other leaders like Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Vice President Mike Pence attended both events.
