Freedom Triumphs: Liberty Island and Ellis Island to Reopen

(NEW YORK CITY) - Two great symbols of the hope and freedom of America, Liberty Island and Ellis Island, will reopen to the public this Thursday, Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced today.

"Liberty has triumphed over terror," Norton said. "Reopening Liberty Island and Ellis Island will be great for New York. It will be great for America. It will be a great day for everyone in the world who cherishes freedom. It demonstrates that although the Sept. 11 attacks affected us, they cannot - and they will not - close us down. "

Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, the place where generations of immigrants first set foot on America soil, were closed to the public following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

With the reopening, ferryboats will once again transport visitors to the harbor's most famous icons from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. The first boats will leave on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. with visitor screening to begin at 8:30 a.m.

"The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are symbols of the hope America offers the oppressed people of the world for a life of liberty and freedom," Norton said. "To any who think they can extinguish or diminish the dreams that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island represent, you have not succeeded. You will never succeed. Liberty has triumphed. Liberty will always triumph."

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Secretary Norton ordered a complete security review of the park.

New security measures that are now in place includ screening all passengers before they board the Circle Line-Status of Liberty ferry boats and restrictions on backpacks and luggage. Once through security, visitors can enjoy a ferry boat ride to the grounds and a close up view of the Statue of Liberty.

The visitor center, bookstore, gift shop and restaurant will be open immediately. The monument and the museum at its base remain closed until further notice. At Ellis Island, visitors can experience the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, including its thousands of square feet of exhibition space, movie theaters, book shop and restaurant. The American Family Immigration History Center, operated by the Statute of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, will also reopen.

Visitors who would like to travel to Liberty and Ellis Island are advised to arrive early, to leave backpacks and luggage at home and allow plenty of time to go through the new security system. Ferries will depart continuously throughout the day with the last boats leaving at 3:30 p.m. Ferry schedules and ticket costs are available on the Circle Line-Statue of Liberty Web site: www.statueoflibertyferry.com. Visitors can also call the park information line at (212) 363-3200.

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