Amazon Protest at Gracie Mansion
Despite the wind and rain, protesters converged on Dec. 16 across the street from Gracie Mansion, the Mayor’s residence in New York City, to let Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo know that New Yorkers would not accept the “sweetheart deal” made between New York City and the Amazon Corporation.
The demonstrators, representing a coalition of political and community groups, rallied against the proposed deal which gives $1.7 billion in tax breaks and incentives to a trillion-dollar corporation known for its shabby treatment of workers. This give-a-way takes place at a time when New York City Housing Authority buildings are in dire need of repair and City University of New York students are struggling to pay for their education.
The “No New Home for Amazon” campaign is demanding that the deal with Amazon be completely revoked. In the coming weeks, the movement will be mobilizing buses to bring the fight to Albany, the New York state capital, and to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s doorstep. The campaign demands no tax giveaways to Amazon and other corporations; no to the attacks on public housing including attempts at privatization; no to Amazon’s union-busting and abuses of workers; and for New York’s elected officials to declare a state of emergency to make housing a right for all.
Cathy Rojas, an organizer of the Dec. 16 rally, said, “Amazon’s presence will further drive up rents in Queens, which is already experiencing the country’s largest rent hike. It will lead to more racist harassment of local public housing residents and it will strengthen the power of anti-union corporations.” Rojas continued, “Despite de Blasio’s campaign rhetoric, he’s helping New York City become a playground for the rich-and it’s time to stand up!”
Several speakers from the Damayan Migrant Workers Association in Queens re-emphasized how the Amazon deal will raise already rapidly-rising rents in Queens, where many immigrants live, and that this will inevitably be followed by a rise in homelessness throughout the borough.
This protest is only the beginning, according to the organizers. They expressed confidence that this campaign, started with hundreds, will multiply to thousands as more New Yorkers come to realize that further gentrification is a threat to their very survival.
The working class population of New York City knows a rotten deal when they see one. They remember how New York City squandered taxpayer money to build a new Yankee Stadium across the street from the old one that had stood there since 1923. Only the Wall St. elite and their political benefactors benefited from the needless luxury suites and other vastly overpriced seats designed for them to entertain their clients, while the real working class fans were priced out of many seats..
Endorsers of the protest included the Party for Socialism and Liberation, ANSWER NYC, Hate Free Zone Queens, Adhikaar, Damayan, DRUM- Desis Rising Up and Moving, Global Action Project, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice ((JFREJ), Justice Committee, and Queens Neighborhood United.
