Former Gov. George Pataki releasing new Ground Zero documentary: ‘9/11 wasn’t some sort of an accident. It was a terrorist attack ‘

· New York Post

The George Pataki Center is releasing a new documentary chronicling the rebuilding of Ground Zero to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Former Gov. George Pataki meeting with former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, and former President George W. Bush, right, after New York was attacked 25 year ago. AFP via Getty Images

“9/11 wasn’t some sort of an accident. It was a terrorist attack carried out by radical Islamists who wanted to take away our freedom and force us to live in fear,” the former Republican Gov., who served during the attacks and whose Albany-based nonprofit is funding the flick, told The Post.

“Out of the Darkness” chronicles the Empire State’s rebuilding process and process to provide a memorial spot for the nearly 3,000 people killed and will be available to screen for free on the center’s website after the Thursday premiere. 

John Castimatidis, the billionaire owner of Gristedes supermarkets, will be honoring the former governor with “The Leadership Crisis Award”, recognizing his efforts during and after the attack at an upcoming memorial gala. 

John Catsimatidis will be honoring the former Gov. with an award recognizing his effort during and after the attacks. Courtesy the Pataki Foundation

“Everybody, not just in New York, but around the country had an opinion as to what should be done,” Pataki said.

John Catsimatidis and Gov. George Pataki. Pataki’s nonprofit is honoring Catsimatidis at an upcoming gala telling the story behind the rebuilding of Ground Zero. Courtesy the Pataki Foundation

“And we had to cut through all those emotions, which was hard to do and just keep our eye on the vision as to what we wanted to end up with there. And it worked out extremely well.”