Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez railed against Amazon in a tweetstorm targeting the company that may be locating a new headquarters in New York City.
The democratic socialist representing New York’s 14th Congressional District tweeted Monday that her constituents in Queens had voiced “outrage” about Amazon planning a Long Island City headquarters.
“We’ve been getting calls and outreach from Queens residents all day about this,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote. “The community’s response? Outrage.”
We’ve been getting calls and outreach from Queens residents all day about this.
The community’s response? Outrage. https://t.co/Jl4OIfa4gC
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
Despite the reported 25,000 employees the e-commerce giant will hire in the proposed new headquarters locations in New York City and Virginia’s Arlington County, according to the Wall Street Journal, nearby Queens residents found the move “extremely concerning.”
Amazon is a billion-dollar company. The idea that it will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks at a time when our subway is crumbling and our communities need MORE investment, not less, is extremely concerning to residents here.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called Amazon’s decision “the single biggest economic development deal in the history of New York City.” But opponents of the move cited Amazon allegedly not paying enough tax on its profits, and poorly paying employees who worked under poor conditions, namely at the company’s warehouses.
Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, continued unloading on Twitter.
When we talk about bringing jobs to the community, we need to dig deep:
– Has the company promised to hire in the existing community?
– What’s the quality of jobs + how many are promised? Are these jobs low-wage or high wage? Are there benefits? Can people collectively bargain?— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
Displacement is not community development. Investing in luxury condos is not the same thing as investing in people and families.
Shuffling working class people out of a community does not improve their quality of life.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
We need to focus on good healthcare, living wages, affordable rent. Corporations that offer none of those things should be met w/ skepticism.
It’s possible to establish economic partnerships w/ real opportunities for working families, instead of a race-to-the-bottom competition.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
While other cities across the nation were vying for the giant company to locate one of its so-called “HQ2” headquarters, Ocasio-Cortez questioned the impact of Amazon on the community, saying the objections were not about “picking a fight.”
Lastly, this isn’t just about one company or one headquarters. It’s about cost of living, corps paying their fair share, etc.
It’s not about picking a fight, either. I was elected to advocate for our community’s interests – & they‘ve requested, clearly, to voice their concerns.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
Other New York elected officials also were against the move.
Queens City Councilman @JimmyVanBramer and State Senator @SenGianaris have come out against HQ2 deal:
“The burden should be… on Amazon to prove it would be a responsible corporate neighbor.”
Both announced they will stop accepting real estate developer money last month. https://t.co/XOld5WUDMX
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 13, 2018
While the Congresswoman-elect claimed her constituents were outraged over Amazon’s intentions, Twitter users reacted to Ocasio-Cortez’ complaints about the company’s plans.
You’re wrong on this issue, and it shows your lack of experience. NYC is not a museum to be preserved in amber. It is a thriving engine of entrepreneurship & business. Having one of the leading 21st C co’s in the world will be good if you manage their presence, not oppose it.
— QueensProgressive (@johnnybilo) November 13, 2018
Good to hear all these negative comments about a company with the most liberal owner – from the city with the most liberal mayor, and from the state with the most liberal governor who you people happily elected because they are for the people! It doesn’t always work out 🙂
— BlueRidgeGlamour (@GlamourRidge) November 13, 2018
Yeah who needs all those jobs? Throw em out of the state. No one would possibly want those jobs! The unemployment is so low right now everyone is working 2 jobs already. No need for amazon.
— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) November 13, 2018
Have you ever been in a bar and the bartender tells you what they would do if they were president and all their great ideas to fix the world and you roll your eyes and wish they would just shut up, Now we are actually living that!!…#inspiringinsight
— bob in miami (@bfranz917) November 13, 2018
“The community,” “fair share,” “billion-dollar company.” You’re like a socialist cartoon character. It doesn’t interest you in the least HOW a company becomes “billion dollar,” all that matters to you is how to grab a piece of it once its successful.
— Sam-a-Da-Man-a (@SamaDaMana) November 13, 2018
Amazon should have selected Atlanta. Cortez clearly doesn’t want to grow her local economy. The Bronx selected Cortez to bring in that Venezuela type governing body to make their lives easier. You cant make this stuff up.
— Chris Lee Vol (@Soslang) November 13, 2018
I wonder what the thousands of people who gain employment from Amazon will think of their contribution to society. What’s the matter, are your supporters too ignorant to fill out an Amazon application or are they waiting for your promises of free everything to kick in? #venezuela
— OBC (@KDudeJames) November 13, 2018
What exactly is their fair share and who determines it? Also when will half of the population begin paying their fair share?
— Kelle (@akpinwheel777) November 13, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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