When news broke that Amazon’s HQ2 plans had been scrapped in Queens, New York, Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to boast of her involvement in the decision. She wrote “Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world.”
The comments led to a flurry of responses on social media. Some people praised Ocasio-Cortez for her involvement in the matter, while others criticized her for blocking a potentially beneficial move for the city. The hashtag #BoycottAmazon began trending on Twitter shortly after the announcement.
Those in support of Ocasio-Cortez’s actions argued that Amazon’s decision to locate its HQ2 in Queens would have resulted in the displacement of many low-income families, and that it would have caused an increase in rent prices. They argued that the company had not done enough to ensure that the local community would benefit from the move. Furthermore, they argued that the estimated 25,000 jobs that were expected to be created would not have been enough to offset the influx of people into the area, leading to overcrowding and a strain on local resources.
Others, however, argued that Amazon’s decision to scrap its HQ2 plans in Queens was a missed opportunity for the city. They argued that the influx of jobs and economic growth that would have resulted from the move would have been beneficial for the city, and that the city would have benefited from the increased tax revenue. They argued that the potential for growth outweighed any potential drawbacks.
Regardless of where people stood on the issue, it was clear from the responses on Twitter that Ocasio-Cortez’s comments had sparked a passionate debate. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Amazon and Queens, but it’s clear that Ocasio-Cortez has certainly made her presence felt.