Freedom Triumphs: Liberty Island and Ellis Island Reopen

(NEW YORK CITY) - Interior Secretary Gale Norton today reopened Liberty Island and Ellis Island to the public. Norton and National Park Service Director Fran Mainella joined New York and New Jersey officials to welcome the first visitors back to Liberty Island. The islands were closed to the public following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Today I am proud to announce the reopening of Ellis Island and Liberty Island. I am proud to proclaim that liberty has triumphed over terror. This is a great day for New York. It is a great day for America. It is a great day for everyone in the world who cherishes freedom," Norton said.

"As we stand on Liberty Island, we remember the millions of immigrants who have gazed up at the Statue as they sailed into New York Harbor and a new life in America. They came from every nation on the globe. They came for freedom. They came for liberty. They came for hope.

"No terrorist can destroy that dream. Reopening these islands demonstrates to the world that even though the Sept. 11 attacks affected us, they cannot - and they will not - shut us down," Norton said.

Norton said the reopening will help the tourism business in the New York City area. "New York is a wonderful city to visit. People throughout the world should make their travel plans now to come and see America's largest city get stronger and its magnificence shine brighter than ever before," Norton said.

With the reopening, ferryboats are again transporting visitors to the harbor's most famous icons from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. The first boats left on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m.

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 include screening all passengers before they board the Circle Line-Statue of Liberty ferryboats and restrictions on backpacks and luggage. Once through security, visitors can enjoy a ferryboat ride to the grounds and a closeup 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, bookshop and restaurant. The American Family Immigration History Center, operated by the Statue 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 to 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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