L-R: Hezues R., Westchester Legislator David Tubiolo, Westchester Legislator Shanae Williams, 9/11 Legal Advocate Michael Barasch, “DUST” Doc writer, producer, director Bridget Gormley, and NYS Assemblyman Nader Sayegh
A poignant screening of the 9/11 documentary “DUST” took place on Friday, April 26th, 2024, at the YoFi Fest Digital Media Art Center, aimed at elevating awareness of the 9/11 Notice Act and its impending implementation.
Hosted by NYS Assemblyman Nader Sayegh in collaboration with The Social Impact Content Film School, the event attracted key legislators, legal advocates, and members of the community to discuss the essential legislative changes needed to protect 9/11 survivors, inclusive of the creation of a 9/11 curriculum for New York State elementary, middle, and high schools.
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, the author of the 9/11 Notice Act, emphasized, “It’s imperative that federal, state, and local governments, along with educational institutions, comply fully with the notification requirements of the 9/11 Notice Act. We must ensure no one who was in the exposure zone is left uninformed.”
Michael Barasch, managing partner of Barasch McGarry, which has represented more than 40,000 members of the 9/11 community, pointed to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control revealing a 17 percent increase in victims of 9/11 reporting at least one type of cancer from 2022 to 2023. Worse, he noted, CDC data confirmed a 16 percent increase in Responders and a staggering 38 percent increase in Survivors dying from 9/11 toxins over the last twelve months, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and action.
This led Barasch to share compelling stories, including that of a young student who attended school near the World Trade Center and is now facing uncertain health conditions. He said, “One of my youngest clients went to elementary school near the World Trade Center and now attends college but is fighting cancer due to their exposure to 9/11 toxins. Young adults in the containment zone need to know their rights and should register with the Federal 9/11 programs.”
The event also highlighted the need for a detailed briefing by the NYS Economic Development and the U.S. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund on their plans to conduct extensive outreach for the implementation of the 9/11 Notice Act, as requested by Assemblyman Sayegh and supported by local leaders.
The film “DUST,” directed by Bridget Gormley, who lost her father to cancer linked to 9/11, powerfully illustrated the ongoing health crises faced by first responders and survivors.
She said, “My inspiration for ‘DUST’ stemmed from witnessing the silent suffering and significant struggles that the 9/11 toxins inflicted on my family, as the toxic exposure tragically claimed the life of my father, FDNY Firefighter Billy Gormley.”
The screening was followed by a panel discussion led by Hezues R., founder of The Social Impact Content Film School, who moderated a deep dive into the themes of the film and the legislative impact.
Hezues R. remarked, “Today’s discussion is not just about remembrance but about action. It’s about ensuring that the stories told in ‘DUST’ lead to tangible changes in how we support our 9/11 survivors and heroes.”
When discussing situations where companies closed or went bankrupt, such as J&R Music and Computer World–which was adjacent to Pace University across from New York City Hall now replaced by a Starbucks and condominium tower tp rescue forgotten workers, Barasch said, “We must also engage agencies like the IRS or Department of Labor to assist companies that have closed, to support our ‘Go Find Me’ campaign under the 9/11 Notice Act.
Gormley expanded the conversation and issued a challenge to the New York State Department of Education to create a mandatory 9/11 curriculum for grades Kindergarten through 12 to ensure New Yorkers never forget the terrorist attacks and its lingering effects. Assemblymember Sayegh along with Westchester County Legislators David Tubiolo and Shanae Williams expressed support for the concept.
The event concluded with acknowledgments and a call to engage further with the cause championed by the documentary “DUST” and the 9/11 Notice Act. The community left empowered, informed, and ready to support the necessary outreach and legislative efforts.
