The Empire State Building was dragged on social media Tuesday over its celebration of Amazon’s controversial decision to locate its new headquarters in New York’s Long Island City.
We’re celebrating @Amazon’s announcement of HQ2 coming to #NewYorkCity by glowing in white with an hourly orange sparkle! pic.twitter.com/a2cKhl3ZJ9
— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) November 13, 2018
The lights atop the structure glowed white “with an hourly orange sparkle” in honor of Amazon’s earlier announcement, but many Twitter users urged the iconic building to “read the room” ― given the anger over the tax incentives that officials gave to the online retailer and fears over how the investment will affect local infrastructure.
Because you don’t have a setting that illustrates another King Kong taking a dump on the city? https://t.co/3iVbrvADgg
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) November 14, 2018
This was probably an easier move than trying to figure out what color could possibly symbolize ruining New York
— Charles Bramesco (@intothecrevasse) November 13, 2018
You're celebrating a billionaire getting $2 billion in subsidies the company is getting to set up. Corporate welfare queens drawing billions while NYC has a homelessness crisis as winter comes!!!!
— Alexandra Whitney (@iskandrah) November 13, 2018
gross
— justin block (has flipped) (@JBlock49) November 13, 2018
this isn’t gonna stop him from turning you into a warehouse
— marisa kabas (@MarisaKabas) November 14, 2018
This ain't it, building
— David Klion (@DavidKlion) November 13, 2018
native new yorkers: is this more infuriating than the eagles colors up there
— jommy (@flimmyleon) November 13, 2018
This sucks and I hate it
— nuanced opinion guy (@charles_kinbote) November 13, 2018
Didn’t know a building could make such an embarrassment of itself but here we are
— Slime🐍🐍 Bodegom🌹🇳🇱 (@EBodegom) November 13, 2018
Read the room, building.
— if youre a cop you idiot then youre a cop you idio (@SirJohnBurrito) November 14, 2018
Sauron did it better. pic.twitter.com/TPEZt2Qu3G
— Will Rayner (@WillRayner__) November 13, 2018
No New Yorkers are celebrating this occasion. This is a tragedy for New York and should be recognized as such.
— Kenny Hoffman (@TheKennyHoffman) November 14, 2018
Let’s celebrate putting further strain on our subway system and making the affordable housing crisis worse! How novel! Way to go! Hooray!
— Brooke Kressel (@brookekressel) November 13, 2018
@TheClemReport pic.twitter.com/9YjRzrIsrT
— GregLafaire (@GregLafaire) November 14, 2018
The announcement of an infinitely more expensive cost of living for Long Island City
— a bloo (@vlime286) November 13, 2018
— Brandon Weigel (@brandon_weigel) November 14, 2018
As a Seattlite with Amazon literally surrounding me across the street, I am so sorry LIC/NYC. Brace yourself.
— Riko Colin Chock (@rikocolin) November 13, 2018
I've always loved the Empire State Building best of all. But not tonight.
— Jeremiah Moss (@jeremoss) November 14, 2018
what is wrong with you
— John Lagomarsino (@johlag) November 13, 2018
Literally no one is celebrating this
— lauren (@spectacularLo) November 13, 2018
— anchor baby saraiya (@soniasaraiya) November 14, 2018
— Rach (@raerhi) November 13, 2018
FIX THE SUBWAYS INSTEAD
— ella dawson (@brosandprose) November 13, 2018
Amazon also plans to set up a new HQ in Arlington, Virginia, and has promised to invest $5 billion and create 50,000 new jobs combined at the two sites.
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