Activists looking to uncover the truth behind the collapse of 7 World Trade Center during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have gathered more than 53,000 signatures in efforts to place a measure on the New York City ballot.

The nonprofit group High-Rise Safety Initiative, formerly the NYC Coalition for Accountably Now, wants New Yorkers to vote on whether New York City’s Department of Buildings should investigate the tower’s collapse during the terrorist attack 13 years ago, Raw Story reported.

The initiative is largely supported by “truther” activists who believe 9/11 was an inside job calculated by a faction of the U.S. government.

The High-Rise Safety Initiative’s director, however, says his group is not tied to the movement.

“The 9/11 truth movement by and large supports what we’re doing because, if we’re successful, it will lead to an investigation of Building 7’s collapse,” said Ted Walter, Crain’s New York Business reported. “We’re not directly affiliated with them.”

Asked whether he believes the conspiracy theories, Mr. Walter said he doesn’t know.

“I reserve judgment on that type of question until we really establish what in my view would be a strong scientific explanation for the collapse of the building,” he said.

Crain’s points out that Mr. Walter has said in the past that he believes the buildings were purposely demolished.

“A true investigation with full subpoena power would shatter the official story and lead to some accountability, though it will probably be impossible to identify everyone who was a part of the conspiracy,” he told FasterTimes.com in 2010.

The group says it has gathered nearly double the signatures needed, which will be presented to the City Council next Thursday.

If the City Council does not act on the proposal, the group intends to gather another 30,000 signatures to present in September to force the initiative onto the ballot.

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