Biden visits New Orleans for prayer service after deadly New Year's attack: 'You are not alone'

[ad_1] President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden attended a somber prayer service in New Orleans on Monday for households of victims and impacted group members following the New Yr's Day assault within the metropolis.

"I do know occasions like this are onerous. The shock and ache continues to be so very uncooked," Biden mentioned whereas giving remarks through the service. "My spouse Jill and I are right here to face with you, to grieve with you, to wish with you, to let you aren't alone."

Biden mirrored on the 14 individuals killed and 35 injured within the "horrific act of terrorism," in addition to the primary responders and regulation enforcement officers "who risked their lives to cease the phobia." He additionally provided phrases of solace to the victims' households.

President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden stroll to the alter to put a candle as they take part in an interfaith prayer service for the victims of the lethal New Years truck assault, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Jan. 6, 2025.

Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

", from some expertise, it is onerous, however I promise you, the day will come when the reminiscence of the one you love... will convey a smile to your lips earlier than a tear to your eye. It's going to take time, however I promise you. I promise you it'll come," Biden mentioned.

"My prayer is that that day comes sooner fairly than later, however it can come, and when it does, chances are you'll discover goal in your ache, to reside the life worthy of the one you misplaced," he continued.

New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond thanked the Bidens for becoming a member of them in prayer on the service, which was attended by a number of elected officers, together with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

<img alt="PHOTO: President Biden and the First Lady, alongside the Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry, attend an interfaith prayer service for the victims of the attack in New Orleans, at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, on Jan. 6, 2025. " class="hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/aaaba845-46ec-40fb-a5eb-70bd00485f4c/biden-new-orleans-prayer-cathedral-gty-lv-250106_1736212641805_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg"/> President Joe Biden (third L) and First Woman Jill Biden (2nd L), alongside the Governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry (L), attend an interfaith prayer service with the households and group members impacted by the January 1 truck assault in New Orleans, on the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, in New Orleans, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

"We by no means anticipate such a tragedy to occur at dwelling, however we by no means know when evil will elevate its ugly head," Aymond mentioned through the service.

"This assault was not only a wound to New Orleans, however it was a wound to our nation, to our world and to our seek for freedom," he mentioned.

The names of the 14 individuals killed within the assault have been learn through the service, as candles have been positioned for every sufferer on a desk on the altar steps. The Bidens additionally positioned a candle described as an emblem of unity and peace.

President Joe Biden speaks throughout an interfaith prayer service with the households and group members impacted by the January 1 truck assault in New Orleans, on the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, in New Orleans, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

The hourlong interfaith service featured prayers led by members of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faiths.

Forward of the prayer service, the Bidens visited a memorial on New Orleans' Bourbon Avenue for the victims of the assault and laid a bouquet of flowers. Additionally they met with the households, survivors and native regulation enforcement impacted by the assault, the White Home mentioned.

The go to comes days after a suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, an Military veteran and Houston realtor, allegedly drove a rented truck into Bourbon Avenue within the early hours of New Yr's Day. A minimum of 14 individuals have been killed and dozens have been injured within the assault, which occurred over a three-block stretch of the vacationer vacation spot in New Orleans' bustling French Quarter.

<img alt="PHOTO: President Biden and the First Lady place a candle at the altar during an interfaith prayer service with the community members impacted by the attack in New Orleans, at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, on Jan. 6, 2025. " class="hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/b5f64d23-ecef-43d7-b42c-b75365d2ddb8/new-orleans-prayer-cathedral-gty-lv-250106_1736212285148_hpMain.jpg"/> President Joe Biden and First Woman Jill Biden place a candle, representing these killed, on the altar throughout an interfaith prayer service with the households and group members impacted by the January 1 truck assault in New Orleans, on the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, in New Orleans, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

A girl lights candles at a makeshift memorial for the victims at Bourbon Avenue, days after a U.S. Military veteran drove his truck into the crowded French Quarter on New Yr's Day in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 5, 2025.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Jabbar, a Texas resident who FBI officers mentioned proclaimed his assist for the phobia group ISIS in social media posts forward of the assault, was killed in gunfire exchanged with New Orleans police.

The 14 victims who died included a younger mom educating her son to learn, a former school soccer participant "on high of the world" residing in New York Metropolis and an 18-year-old aspiring nurse.

President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden take part in an interfaith prayer service for the victims of the lethal New Years truck assault, at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Jan. 6, 2025.

Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

The prayer service attended by the Bidens was hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans on the St. Louis Cathedral.

<img alt="PHOTO: President Biden and the first lady attend an Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Healing hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, days after the attack in New Orleans, Jan. 6, 2025. " class="hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/bda075d5-a190-4c6b-bcdc-4e11e590fb5f/new-orleans-attack-prayer-cathedral-rt-lv-250106_1736208909436_hpMain.jpg"/> President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden attend an Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Therapeutic hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans on the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, days after a U.S. Military veteran drove a truck into the crowded French Quarter on New Yr's Day, in New Orleans, Jan. 6, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

"Archbishop [Gregory Michael] Aymond continues to supply his prayers and condolences to these affected by this tragedy," the archdiocese mentioned in its announcement. "He asks that every one take part prayer for our group right now and daily as we work to construct a tradition that respects the life and dignity of all individuals."

Within the wake of the assault, the Biden administration mentioned Monday it can commit further federal assets to New Orleans for the upcoming Mardi Gras festivities. Between Feb. 21 and March 4, the town can be receiving SEAR-1 standing, that means the federal authorities coordinates all safety associated to the occasion and brings in additional federal assets to assist with safety.