WASHINGTON—Spontaneous celebrations erupted across the nation Sunday night after Americans learned of the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who had been America’s most wanted man before he was killed in an operation launched by U.S. forces in Pakistan.
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As President Barack Obama addressed the nation on television from the East Room of the White House late Sunday night, thousands of students and patriots crowded outside the White House in triumph and celebration.
The crowd shouted “We are America,” and “USA is number one,” and “USA! USA!” after the death of the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack in 2001, which killed 3,000 Americans.
“We were all so excited,” said Nora Kelleher, a sophomore studying business at the George Washington University. “There was a big group of us. Everyone was studying. We have finals—all of our finals are coming up this week, so everyone was really busy. But as soon as we heard it, people were getting texts, turning on the TV—everyone was just going crazy.”
“People started running down here. When we got here, there was maybe like a fifth of the number of people that are here now—and it’s just insane. I think mostly I’m just proud. I’m happy,” said Kelleher.
Shira Weissman, a graphic designer from Maryland, drove out to the White House as soon as she heard the news.
“Before Obama got on, we were like ‘We got to get the car; we got to go now.’ We were lucky enough to get here.”
Weissman said that she was thrilled, because she has many friends in the military who have fought for the United States.
“This day is for them,” said Weissman. “I’m really excited. They’d love to be here just as much as we all are here today.”
Rachael Zhang, who is staying in the capital for a month at the local University of California campuses, said that she was “just really surprised” to hear about the death of bin Laden.
“I am from California, so it was just really interesting to actually be in DC when this was happening,” said Zhang, who studies foreign policy and media.
“I called my dad, and he was just like, ‘Oh well, he deserved it.’ But I don’t know, I personally just felt it’s kind of weird that we are cheering because someone died. But at the same time, I also feel he did cause a lot of deaths, pain, and hurt to our country. So I don’t know. I guess I’m just kind of torn about how I feel about this.”
Christy Davidson, a tourist from Colorado, also found herself outside the White House. She said that Americans have been distracted by the events following the 9/11 attacks, but the death of bin Laden himself does not hold much importance.
“I think Osama bin Laden’s been impotent for a long time,” said Davidson. “I don’t think his death will matter too terribly much.”
Even though much of the Western world has sighed a collective sigh of relief over bin Laden’s death, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that the War on Terror is still not over by a long shot.
“Cooperation will be just as important in the days ahead, because even as we mark this milestone, we should not forget that the battle to stop al-Qaeda and its syndicate of terror will not end with the death of bin Laden,” Clinton said.
