9/11 memorial
Family members of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 touch the Wall of Names following a wreath laying ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, as the nation marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Jared Wickerham/AP
  • Families of 9/11 victims told Biden not to come to memorial events unless he declassifies files.
  • The families believe the files will show Saudi Arabian leaders supported the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  • Next month marks 20 years since nearly 3,000 people were killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks.
  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

Family member of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks asked President Joe Biden not to come to upcoming memorial events unless he declassifies documents related to the attacks.

The letter, which was signed by about 1,700 people and included first responders and survivors, asked Biden to release documents that they believe will show leaders of Saudi Arabia backed the attacks, Reuters reported.

Next month will mark 20 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks, when 19 hijackers crashed four passenger planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Read more: These millennial and Gen Z staffers are part of Jen Psaki's 11-person army that keeps the White House on message

"Six months ago the 9/11 community had great hopes that President Joe Biden would be the long lost champion of those directly affected by this murderous attack on our nation, finally placing the values of truth, justice, and accountability before the interests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the letter said, according to The Washington Post.

While campaigning for president last fall, Joe Biden penned a letter to the families saying he would work with them and only withhold information "to the extent necessary to protect against the risk of significant harm to national security." He also said his administration would "err on the side of disclosure."

"Twenty years later, there is simply no reason - unmerited claims of 'national security' or otherwise - to keep this information secret," the letter also said. "But if President Biden reneges on his commitment and sides with the Saudi government, we would be compelled to publicly stand in objection to any participation by his administration in any memorial ceremony of 9/11."

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said during a news conference that Biden is still committed to working on the issue and that official have been meeting with the families, according to Reuters.

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