h. nazan ışık—
13 May 2019—
It was raining on Monday. And, on Monday New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was going to hold a rally on the NYC’s “Green New Deal” outside, in front of Trump Tower.
I arrived a little bit late. There was no rally in front of Trump Tower. I found out that the Mayor decided to hold the press conference inside the lobby of Trump Tower.
Mayor de Blasio looked happy, smiling.
Mayor de Blasio: “The New York City Green New Deal is here. It is bold, it is audacious, it is necessary.” Continued, “We have a passed a mandate in this city requiring buildings to stop the destructive emissions and that begins with this building right here, Trump Tower.”
It was noisy, it was raucous, the music was playing, some Trump supporters were shouting “Failed mayor”, “Trump 2010”, “Worst mayor ever.”
Trump supporters.
There was a circus-like atmosphere, like a theatre… and Mayor de Blasio was too shouting to be heard.
Mayor de Blasio: “How bad is the problem that the president has created with these buildings? Remember he’s not just a problem because of his policies in Washington, he’s a problem because his buildings are among the biggest polluters in New York City. Trump’s buildings in New York City produce as much greenhouse gases as 5,800 cars a year and we won’t allow him to go on like that.”
Mayor de Blasio ‘s voice was getting hoarse because he really had to scream to be heard.
The protesters held signs reading “Trump 2020” and “Worst mayor ever”, “Failed Mayor” as they were riding up and down the escalator right behind him, and continued screaming.
“Well it’s so nice of them to serenade us here at Trump Tower, but clearly they’re uncomfortable about the truth,” de Blasio said. He continued, “So, we have a message for President Trump and all the other big building owners in New York City. Cut your emissions or we will cut something you really care about – we will take your money. We will find you, we will hold you accountable.”
During the Q&A session it even became funnier for my taste. The place was so loud; de Blasio had to bend over to hear reporters’ questions.
A reporter was trying to be heard, and de Blasio to hear,
And even, de Blasio had to leave his podium, and ask reporters to get closer so he could hear their questions.
City Hall Reporter Yoav Gonen was one of those reporters who had to walk closer to de Blasio to ask a question.
Yes, it was like a theatre. Yes, it was like a circus-like atmosphere. I am not sure who benefited more from holding the rally inside the lobby of Trump Tower. Was it Mayor de Blasio? Did he get his message out? Or Trump supporters who used escalator, as a perfect tool to be seen, to be noticed with their signs, right behind de Blasio .
What was the purpose of holding the press conference at Trump Tower? Was it to promote the city’s “Green New Deal,” or to put Trump Organization “on notice” to cut greenhouse emission or face penalties, or was it to pave the way for running for president?
The questions were mostly about “running for president.”
“I don’t think it makes sense to speak to that until I come to a decision. I’ve been talking to my family, we will make a final decision this week and we’ll announce it this week,” answered Mayor de Blasio.
Let’s wait….!!!!
Photographs: © h. nazan ışık
© h. nazan ışık