The immediate response of the American People was a surge in volunteering efforts to help the victims and their families, and a demand for revenge on whomever attacked. President Bush almost immediately announced the “War on Terrorism”, which targeted bringing Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda to justice. The unfortunate side effect of the need for justice was the increase of hate crimes. While most bonded together, comforting each other in this time of National Tragedy, others targeted Middle Eastern looking people and people thought to follow Islam. Sikhs, who are in no way connected to Islam, were commonly attacked because they wear turbans.
New York Daily News Photographer Susan Watts was on her way to photograph the New York Mayoral Primary Elections when she heard a plane had hit the World Trade Center. She was amongst those running away from the towers as they turned from pillars of steel to pillars of smoke, photographing the entire process. She narrowly escaped as the building collapsed, and eventually avoided physical harm. Watts is currently still working for New York Daily News.