Mayor Danny Avila urges Richmond to remember 9/11 and reckon with its aftermath for immigrant communities

Mayor Danny Avila opened his remarks at the city’s 9/11 remembrance by thanking visiting elected officials and first responders and by recalling the moment he learned of the attacks.

“We will never and should never forget these attacks and the way that they changed our nation,” Avila said, urging Richmond to continue teaching younger people about the loss, heroism and lasting impacts of Sept. 11. He noted that nearly 3,000 people died on Sept. 11, 2001, and recognized victims who were Virginia residents, service members and contractors.

Avila said the city must also remember the repercussions the attacks had for immigrant communities, particularly Muslim and Arab Americans, and praised the city’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement for work to build an inclusive community. He described inclusion and cross‑cultural understanding as part of preventing the profiling and discrimination that followed the attacks.

The mayor closed by thanking first responders and asking the community to carry forward a spirit of service and unity. “I am incredibly grateful for the 1st responders who do not hesitate to answer the call,” he said.

Next steps noted during the ceremony included a stair climb by recruits and a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.; no policy actions were proposed during the remarks.