Nov 27, 2018
New Yorkers protest Amazon HQ2
Nov 27, 2018
New Yorkers gathered at a Manhattan Amazon Books store this Cyber Monday to protest the arrival of the company's HQ2 in Long Island City, Queens.
Surrounding the West 34th Street store, protestors carried signs reading "HQ2 Not Welcome in NYC," and "Amazon Hurts Working People." A larger protest was set to take place the same evening in Long Island City.
Amazon announced its choice to divide its new headquarters between NYC and Northern Virginia earlier this November, after cities across the country vied for the company's favor. The new business is set to bring up to 25,000 jobs to the borough, but perhaps at a price that city residents are not eager to pay.
Since the HQ2 location was announced, NYC residents have very publicly wondered why a reported $3 billion in tax incentives was promised to a multi-billion dollar company, while the city's public services make do with lesser sums. Other points of concern include the possibility that Amazon's arrival will inundate already over-congested subways, create massive commuter traffic, take away from local businesses and increase rent prices in one of the city's last relatively affordable boroughs.
In addition to those who protested in Manhattan, many upset New Yorkers took to Twitter to voice their unease.
"Why [give] @amazon $3 Billion instead of fixing the subway, repairing decaying public housing or funding @CUNY to make it (really) tuition-free or pay its adjuncts a living wage?" tweeted one user.
"@NYGovCuomo @NYCMayor let's renegotiate the #AmazonHQ2 deal," tweeted John Burnett, business and political commentator and New York native. "They don't need all of the tax breaks. The monetary incentive wasn't the impetus in #Amazon's decision. Let's get guarantees for #Jobs to local residents and not out of state candidates, and other benefits for #NewYork
On top of New York voices, some Seattle residents, having already experienced the effect of Amazon in their city, made their predictions for the New York City area.
"I live in Seattle," one user tweeted. "I've seen this. It'll be worse for Queens. #AmazonHQ2"
Sally Goldenberg, City Hall bureau chief at Politico New York, tweeted that Reshma Saujani, who formerly worked for Mayor de Blasio when he was public advocate, will be on the Brian Lehrer Show tomorrow to voice his concerns about the planned headquarters.
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