Families of 9/11 victims protest upcoming LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster over Saudi ties
BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- 9/11 families are trying to get a Saudi-funded golf tournament canceled in New Jersey.
The event is scheduled this weekend at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
As CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reports, the pain is felt every day by Terry Strada since she lost her husband, Tom, who was working in the north tower on 9/11.
"For us, 9/11 never feels like 20 years. It feels like it's present," Strada said. "Twenty years later I am appalled to be standing here speaking about professional golfers' offensive, disrespectful and hurtful participation in 'sportswashing.'"
Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, is backed by other families, protesting the LIV Golf series ahead of its New Jersey tournament Friday.
"It's a multibillion dollar public relations stunt bought and paid for by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Strada said.
The families pointing to recently declassified documents they say shows Saudi support of 9/11 hijackers - 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens. The Saudi government has consistently denied any involvement.
"We've had every president since 9/11 evade holding the kingdom responsible for their role in the attacks on September 11th, and we believe they need to be held accountable for murdering our loved ones and injuring countless others," said Matthew Bocchi, who lost his father on 9/11.
The event is being held about 50 miles from Ground Zero at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, owned by the former president.
Another advocacy group, 9/11 Justice, sent a letter to Trump last week, expressing their "deep pain and anger" on the decision to host the event, and called for a meeting. They also placed an advertisement on local and national television.
Dennis McGinley, who lost his brother Daniel, appeared in the ad. He also signed the letter.
"We just wish a former president, maybe some professional golfers, would just talk to us. Let us educate you and help us bring this national nightmare to an end," McGinley said.
"As far as President Trump holding a tournament right down the road in our backyard, you know we're very disappointed in him. We don't like it. He should know better," said Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United. "But he's really not the issue. He's not president any longer, he's a nobody. in my opinion. for the way he's treating us. We have a president that's sitting in the White House right now that we're going to demand he gives us answers."
The group 9/11 Families United called for a meeting with President Joe Biden and called on golfers who are participating to take a stand.
LIV Golf released a statement saying, in part, "these families have our deepest sympathy. While some may not agree, we believe golf is a force for good around the world."
"We, as 9/11 families, are not going away," Bocchi said.
Many plan to protest on Friday.
9/11 Justice says it received a response from a Trump aide acknowledging he received the letter. According to the group, the aide said the contract is binding and there's no way out of it.
We reached out to the Trump Organization and have not heard back.
A receptionist at the golf club says they're not taking media calls.