Activists Protest Amazon At Future Queens Warehouse

WOODSIDE, QUEENS - The Long Island City HQ2 is a thing of the past, but local activists are keeping the spotlight on Amazon for what they say are unethical business practices. State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblyman Ron T. Kim and community and labor groups railed against Amazon on Thursday at the site of its future warehouse in Woodside.

The activists demanded protections for future workers at the new distribution center, including the right to unionize. "We are not going to continue allowing Amazon to expand in our city under their current conditions," said Maritza Silva-Farrell, executive director of ALIGN, an alliance of labor and community organizations.

Ramos said she doesn't oppose the Amazon jobs but that she wants to ensure the warehouse workers will have employment benefits and health and safety protections. "No union, no Amazon," she said.

Assemblyman @rontkim calls Amazon a predatory company and says Congress should investigate its practices. pic.twitter.com/Nsf4ArhAWq
— Maya Kaufman (@mayakauf) February 21, 2019

The planned distribution center at 26-15 Boody Street, the former home of Bulova Watches' headquarters, will be Amazon's second in New York City. Amazon bought the property for $25 million in October 2018, one month before the e-commerce giant announced it would build a sprawling new campus in Long Island City.