NEW YORK CITY, NY (ANS) -- It has been over 21 years since I lost my brother on the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland and 8 1/2 years since experiencing first hand Washington DC attacks on September 11th.

Lisa took this picture with her cell phone as she was standing by the police tape line

I had hoped and prayed that I would never have to experience another terrorist attack in my lifetime. In fact I have dedicated my life mission to try and prevent terrorism by building bridges of reconciliation with other cultures.

On the evening of May 1st, I had just finished a long week of meetings with members of the media at the National Publicity Summit, promoting my book “Life In Death: A Journey From Terrorism To Triumph.”

I was looking forward to a relaxing evening watching the Tony Award winning play “Billy Elliot” on Broadway. It was a beautiful spring night and the streets were packed many tourists and locals enjoying all that New York City has to offer. So, I decided to walk to the theater.

As I got closer to the intersection of 45th Street and 8th Avenue, the heart of Times Square, the sidewalk began to get backed up with hundreds of people. It seemed odd to see that many people standing on the sidewalk, but having waited a longtime to see that play, I didn’t want to miss it.
 

Bomb disposal man works with the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder that was rigged to explode in Times Square

So, I began to politely make my way through the crowd until I reached the yellow police tape that was strung across 45th Street preventing people from entering. When I saw the police tape and the fire truck with flashing lights I assumed that there must have been a fire in one of the businesses on the street. So, I moved as close as I could to the front of the crowd that was waiting by the tape.

There was only one police officer standing guard when I first arrived. He was standing watch over the police line as more people were leaving the secured area. The couple in front of me who were closest to the police tape shared the news that there was a suspicious vehicle that law enforcement was investigating.

At first, I didn’t think it was anything more than a common bomb threat. I didn’t instantly think that it might be terror. So, I asked the lady in front of me, “Is this a common occurrence in New York City?” She turned to me and said, “I have lived here for 30 years and never seen this before.”

Then I began to get a bit concerned when another guy exited the secure area into the crowd and told us a robot was breaking into the car and investigating the bomb. When I heard the word “bomb,” I began to appreciate the magnitude of what we might be facing. I could hardly believe that I might possibly be experiencing the third terrorist attack of my lifetime.

By at this point, as I looked behind me, it appeared there were a thousand people behind me all huddled into the middle of the intersection. The woman in front of me said to her family “We should move out of here, because we do not want to be in the midst of this crowd if people start running.”
 

Cover of Lisa's book

In that moment, I began to pray. Should I wait it out to see if this gets cleared up or should I leave? We just couldn’t get any answers, even whether the play was canceled. After standing waiting for nearly an hour, several more police officers approached the crowd with a bullhorn, ordering the crowd to disperse and move out of the street. Slowly the crowd made its way out of the intersection and headed up on to the sidewalk on the four corners.

After waiting another hour, things had not cleared up, so I knew I wouldn’t get to see the play. I called the ticket agent to find out that the play went on at 8:20 pm to an empty theater and refunds were denied. It was a sad commentary to hear that in the midst of an attempted terrorist attack, that money prevailed.

But still, I was happy to be alive and also that the bomb did not explode, and no one was hurt. Considering the explosive materials contained in that vehicle, serious damage could have been done. I am so thankful that God was protecting us. Many said it was “luck” that the bomb didn’t explode. But I know it truly was a miracle. And I am more committed than ever to be involved in preventing future acts of terror.

Lisa Gibson is the Founder and Director of the Peace and Prosperity Alliance (www.peaceandprosperityalliance.org). She is an ambassador of forgiveness and reconciliation, also an attorney, mediator, public speaker and author of the Award Winning book “Life in Death: A Journey From Terrorism To Triumph.” Lisa has a unique voice on global terrorism having lost her brother on the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. As a result of this tragedy she is overcoming evil with good by serving the people of Libya, the country found responsible for her brothers death. Her story of forgiveness made the headlines when she met with and forgave Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi, the worlds most notorious terrorists and the man responsible for her brother’s death.