“It is completely unacceptable that ordinary Americans should be subsidizing the wealthiest people in the world like Jeff Bezos when they pay their employees such inadequate wages.”
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
Current action:
5/29/2020: Please sign this petition calling for Amazon to forgo its HQ2 subsidies from Virginia in light of the COVID-induced crisis and budget shortfalls:
Tell Amazon: Reinstate Fired Workers Organizing for Health and Safety Protections in Warehouses:
Background:
Our Revolution Arlington was one of the first groups to speak out against Arlington County’s participation in the fake HQ2 auction. ORA members first began to raise concerns about: the impact of HQ2 on housing affordability; the ethics of wooing a corporation with an atrocious labor record and monopolistic business tactics; and the prudence of giving public money to company valued at a trillion dollars and owned by the richest man in modern history (among other things) at the Arlington County Board’s meeting on May 19, 2018. When the County Board members waved away our concerns, we worked to form a coalition of grassroots activists groups to hold a community forum on HQ2:
That event ultimately led to the creation of For Us, Not Amazon (FUNA), which is still working to hold Amazon and elected officials in Arlington and Virginia accountable to the community (follow the action on Facebook and Twitter). FUNA is now in turn part of Athena, a national coalition seeking to hold Amazon accountable.
ORA/FUNA in the news:
Our Revolution Arlington Opposes Amazon HQ2 Bid – Blue Virginia
Amazon Skeptics Plan Town Hall Tomorrow to Let Community Share HQ2 Concerns – ArlNow
Groups wary of Arlington bid for Amazon to hold community forum – Inside NOVA
‘Amazon Doesn’t Need The Money’: In The D.C. Region, Resistance Is Growing To Tax Breaks For HQ2 – WAMU
Anti-Amazon activists thrust, Arlington board members parry at meeting – Inside NOVA
Northern Virginia Lands (Half) The Bid For Amazon’s Second Headquarters – Kojo Nnandi Show
Amazon’s HQ2 could have massively negative impact in Virginia – USA Today
With Amazon On Board, Leaders Look to Quell Concerns Over Incentives for the Tech Giant – ArlNow
‘We Really Didn’t Know Much’: County Board Says It Played Only Small Role in Bringing Amazon HQ2 to Arlington – DC Media Group
Northern Virginia property owners are delighted Amazon HQ2 is moving in. Renters, first-time buyers and low-income residents aren’t. – Washington Post
Officials Expect Plenty of Amazon Votes in Coming Years, Giving County Some Say in Shaping New HQ – ArlNow
Amazon-Focused Town Hall Reveals Community Concerns Over Tech Giant’s Power – ArlNow
Kojo Roadshow: A Town Hall On Amazon’s Arrival In Crystal City – Kojo Nnandi
After New York Amazon HQ2 collapse, VA residents voice similar concerns – WASU
Amazon skeptics hope to derail Arlington incentives – Washington Business Journal
Amazon seeks ‘good neighbor’ image in Arlington, but opponents aren’t impressed – Washington Post
HQ2 Critics In Arlington Are Still Trying To Delay The County Board’s Vote – DCist
A Letter from 30 Community Organizations requesting a public hearing with Amazon
Here’s what Amazon has to do to get $23 million from Arlington County – Washington Post
Lots of drama, but no surprises, in Arlington vote on Amazon – Inside NOVA
Noisy, decisive showdown foreseen for Arlington County Board meeting on Amazon – Washington Post
Partnership or Pandering? Arlington County officials went out of their way to cozy up to Amazon – Washington Business Journal
Prime Day protesters chant, leave boxes at Jeff Bezos’ D.C. home – Washington Business Journal
ORA Member Roshan Abraham Speaks about HQ2 Struggle at National Our Revolution 2020 Organizing Kickoff in DC – ORA Facebook Page
Amazon earns approval for its first new HQ2 construction in Arlington – Washington Business Journal
