Belgian survivor of 2017 New York attack calls for better support for terrorism victims
Eight years after the Halloween terrorist attack in New York, the Belgian victims are commemorating what happened to them at that time. One of them, Aristide Melissas, is asking US president Donald Trump for better support for victims of terrorist attacks in the US.
On 31 October 2017, radicalised Islamic State sympathiser Sayfullo Saipov drove his pick-up truck into a group of cyclists and pedestrians on West Street in Manhattan. Eight people were killed, including Belgian Ann-Laure Decadt.
In addition to the fatalities, several people were injured. Among them were Melissas and his family. He suffered a skull fracture and his wife lost both her legs. On Saturday, eight years after the attack, they visited New York for the memorial service. Melissas was due to read a text in which he underlined the need for comprehensive, efficient and rapid assistance programmes.
“We want to emphasise the importance of remaining united and providing full and effective support to those who have suffered lifelong consequences,” he said in a statement. He asks Trump “to help make this matter a priority, by setting up a thorough, fast and effective support programme for victims of terrorism on American soil”.
Melissas says that, instead of falling prey to “despair and destructive thoughts”, the Belgian victims have chosen “the honourable path of construction, which helps open the eyes of all on how we all – including our governments – will reach solid and stable structures to lodge these brave families as they work tirelessly to rebuild their lives”.
Aristide Melissas (left), victim of a terrorist attack in New York in 2017 © BELGA PHOTO POOL BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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