Terry Strada, a widow whose husband died during the September 11, 2001 attacks, spoke at the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero, asserting Saudi Arabia’s continued avoidance of responsibility for the tragedy.
During the memorial, Strada accused the U.S. government of shielding Saudi Arabia, stating that successive administrations had repeatedly failed to support the victims’ families.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fostered a dangerous culture of anti-American terror and backed the radical Islamist hijackers,” said Strada. “For 25 years, administrations, including leaders here today, have chosen to protect the Saudis rather than support 9/11 families.”
Strada, serving as the national chair of 9/11 Families United, spoke at the memorial, emphasizing her frustration with the lack of accountability.
She directed her comments toward Vice President JD Vance, who represented the Trump administration at the ceremony. President Trump delivered remarks at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Strada called upon President Trump, urging, “President Trump can change the course. Demand truth from the Saudis if they want friendship with the USA.” She thanked Vice President Vance for his attendance and requested he convey her message.
Terry Strada’s husband, Tom Strada, was on the 104th floor of the North Tower when it was hit by American Airlines Flight 11. In a WPTV interview during the 20th anniversary, Strada recounted her husband’s final call, where he informed her of his attempts to reach safety.
Tom Strada, 41, worked at Cantor Fitzgerald and had recently welcomed his third child home with his wife. Terry Strada urged Vice President Vance to pass on her call for justice to President Trump at the Ground Zero memorial.
Among a group of 9/11 family members, Terry Strada sued Saudi Arabia, alleging their material support to the hijackers. Though Saudi Arabia has consistently denied these claims, the legal case continues.
Strada pointed out a federal judge’s recent ruling allowing the lawsuit to proceed, noting “reasonable evidence” of support from two Saudi government employees to two al Qaeda hijackers.
For years following September 11, victims’ families couldn’t sue foreign governments due to sovereign immunity. That changed with the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), passed in 2016, permitting such lawsuits.
President Obama initially vetoed JASTA, warning about the risk of stripping foreign governments of immunity based on private allegations. However, Congress overrode his veto, enacting JASTA and enabling legal action against Saudi Arabia.