Actor robert de niro joins 9/11 memorial to show signs of support (Updated X3)

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum was joined today by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels and members of the business community who gathered in Tribeca to encourage businesses to take part in the Signs of Support initiative.

Signs of Support is a program welcoming businesses to publicly show their support by proudly displaying a special decal on their front doors or windows. The decal is a shining symbol of the continued rebuilding of lower Manhattan that was largely spurred by the business community after 9/11. More than 2,500 decals have been sent out for display at businesses citywide.

Update: Representatives of participating businesses joined Mayor Bloomberg, De Niro and Daniels outside Locanda Verde restaurant, 377 Greenwich St.  Century 21 was represented by Jim Copland and Heather Feinmel, Lenny's Bagels by Curt Huegel and Johnny Heil, and AT&T by John Jefferson. Here's how NY1 covered the story.  DNAinfo.com also posted a series of pictures online.

The Signs of Support program is co-chaired by De Niro and film producer Jane Rosenthal, both longtime 9/11 Memorial board members.  Together with Craig Hatkoff, De Niro and Rosenthal co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002 to help rebuild Lower Manhattan.  Mayor Bloomberg, who helped pushed progress of the 9/11 Memorial forward, is chairman of the 9/11 Memorial.

From retail and restaurants to banking and communication services, businesses from across the city can pledge their support in helping to develop, build and sustain the 9/11 Memorial, a national tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

To show gratitude for the donation, businesses participating in the program are featured on the memorial’s website and in the business supporters’ directory at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, 20 Vesey St.

By Meghan Walsh, Communications Associate for the 9/11 Memorial