By Dana Siegelman

conservative protesters in Manhattan at Ground Zero on 9/11/2010: (photo Dana Siegelman)Today is September 11, 2010. I am here in New York City to hear my father speak at a INN World News Conference, and I had the privilege of coming down to Ground Zero to observe the enormous activism taking place in America today.

There is a heightened sense of awareness as people pass each other in close proximity. It is one of brotherhood and fear. Eyes darting in all directions convey the attitude of the day. Who are we and what do we stand for? Where is America going?

One block away from each other are those of the conservative right (ironically Church St) and those of the liberal left (Broadway, perhaps not so ironic). People huddle on the sidewalk to listen to the street preacher talk—actually, scream about the road to heaven being narrow. "Repent or burn in Hell."

Church Street has hundreds of protesters carrying signs to end abortion, stop the building of the mosque (i.e. the community center), and get Obama out of the White House. Policemen line the borders of the crowd wearing solemn faces, some in masks, others with guns and batons.

As I walk toward the other block—the one with all the "crazy liberals"—I notice many more policemen, a motorcade in fact. As I turn the corner it becomes apparent that the police are not there because liberals are crazy but because there are thousands, not hundreds, of activists lined up to stand in solidarity with the Muslims in Manhattan.

liberal protesters in Manhattan at Ground Zero on 9/11/2010: (photo Dana Siegelman)I smile as I pass a sign taped to a fence that reads "Jews for religious tolerance." I take a moment to appreciate my having observed it among the ruckus and continue down the street. Before I realize what is happening, the crowd starts moving toward me, and I'm swept up into this 9/11 activist parade.

I use the word "parade" rather than ‘protest' or ‘riot' because instead of saying "no" to something, the celebrants were saying "yes" to religious freedom in the US. Muslims, Jews, Christians, and all the rest in their diverse glory were there marching along Broadway.

Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was finishing her speech at the front of the dense line and would be joining my dad later at a panel discussing "How America Has Changed Since 9/11." It is a question I find all too obvious and difficult at the same time.

While the panel may have many answers to this question (which you can watch at http://www.innworldreport.net/inn/), the real answer will be different for each of us. This is especially true if we ask ourselves whether we are more fearful and condemning toward those unlike us or if we have searched for understanding?

On this historical day in New York City it would appear that the majority lies with the latter. Undoubtedly many flew into town to be a part of the debate and spectacle, but as an observer I saw thousands march in unity for freedom and tolerance versus hundreds stand in religious condemnation and protest of "the other."

In my own way I silently give thanks; for perhaps America is changing for the better despite those that would have the world believe otherwise. Perhaps we are more open-minded than ever before. Of course only time will tell, but I am willing to bet that the Park51 community center will be a symbol of more than just one Muslim community in America.

It will be a monument to interfaith activism, America's growing diversity, as well as the ability to overcome pain and adversity with respect to the men and women who died nine years ago today. It is a 13-story building that will stand for peace and not war. I would like to believe that some of them would have wanted it that way...

The writer is the daughter of the former governor of Alabama, Don Siegelman, and a researcher with the Levantine Cultural Center currently finishing a Master's in International Relations.