Ten days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed plans to build a new monument in Lower Manhattan honoring New York's essential workers who served on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state is now working out a new plan after protesters detoured construction in Battery Park City. — NBC New York
The state had already broken ground on the project late in June before backing out this week thanks to an incredible amount of public backlash against it. The governor’s plan for the monument was so fast-moving that it had initially been slated to open on Labor Day before this week’s pause.
A petition drive had garnered over 8,000 votes online before the announcement. There will be a committee meeting to discuss a potential new location on Wednesday. Gothamist has more on the protest and relocation effort here.
8 Comments
Thoughts and Prayers: Monuments and Memorials
1. pandemic isn't over. pretty offensive to any future victims' families that they'd be post-memorial, right?
2. this design is sub-banal. it's like the kohl's of civic monuments.
This has to be a joke?! Politicians and conspicuous useless gestures...
If they really care about essential workers, offer affordable health care, child care, housing, and other supports.
If they are regretful about the unnecessary death, set up a permanent pandemic response team, more regulation on senior homes, reduce housing density in low-income areas...
We know about sick building syndrome since the 60s, yet we continue to build pandemic incubators. Yeah right, a memorial is the answer. *eyeroll*.
Oh no, is the form and colors of design inspired by the coronavirus itself?
and the flags represent two jabs of vaccine to defeat it! haha
Ba da bing!
Hmmm..... striking resemblance.
It was pretty decent of Cuomo to stop forcing Covid patients into nursing homes and harassing women staffers long enough to ram through an ill-considered public works project in time to try and save his governorship, though. Thumbs up!
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