New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio frustrated many by announcing that he is in talks with the CEO of Macy’s to ensure that the city’s Fourth of July fireworks still take place this year.
During a press conference on Tuesday, de Blasio noted that he had been speaking with Jeff Gennette to start strategizing on how the annual fireworks display put on by Macy’s will take place during the coronavirus pandemic.
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“We know the situation is unclear. We don’t know what things are going to be like in July. We know there’s a lot of questions, a lot of things that are going to have to be determined between now and then, but one thing we know for sure: We will celebrate the Fourth of July in New York City this year,” de Blasio said.
He continued, “We will find a way to put on a show that will show people how much we love our country, how much we want to celebrate everything great about this city and this nation. We don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like yet. There’s a lot of things we’re going to have to work through, but what we know for sure is this wonderful show will go on.”
De Blasio’s announcement did not go over well with many. Some found it to be a poor choice of priorities while hundreds of New Yorkers continue to die each day from the coronavirus. Others found it to be offensive that de Blasio partnered with Macy’s to discuss this expensive project while thousands of the department store’s employees have been furloughed or fired because of store shutdowns.
How about a plan for replacing the Summer Youth Employment Program & other publicly-funded summer youth activities for kids from low-income families (which @NYCMayor has proposed cutting all of) before we worry about fireworks? https://t.co/FwBiCBMAkr
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) April 22, 2020
If someone wrote a parody of a tone-deaf political dunce, this would be too on the nose. https://t.co/lYEq2GKZO6
— Anthony L. Fisher (@anthonyLfisher) April 22, 2020
Nothing seems more appropriate for the times than the mayor of New York City’s priorities being this far down the toilet https://t.co/2KpgZQcaOl
— Cam Kasky (@cameron_kasky) April 22, 2020
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) April 22, 2020
De Blasio was similarly criticized for an announcement he made on Tuesday claiming that the city would hold a ticker-tape parade for healthcare workers as soon as the pandemic ended, which CNN host Jake Tapper said was “one of the stupidest ideas” he had ever heard.
While many did not enjoy de Blasio’s announcement, some found the news to be comforting after weeks of sheltering in place.
Some good news: New York will hold its Macy’s July 4th celebration with fireworks.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he spoke with Macy’s CEO agreed the company wanted to celebrate in some way.
“One way or another the show will go on,” de Blasio said.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) April 22, 2020
It is ultimately a blip in all this, but @NYCMayor announcing the NYC July 4th fireworks are still on feels good.
— Stephen Stirling (@SStirling) April 22, 2020
De Blasio announced on Monday that he would be revoking all permits for large events through the month of June, including the permit for the 50th anniversary of the city’s Pride Parade. As of Wednesday, New York had more than 258,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 19,118 related deaths.
