What's the situation at Trump Tower these days?
March 22, 2017 9:59 AM Subscribe
Family BlahLaLa will be in NYC in a few weeks and I'd really like to go do something at Trump Tower. Yell at it? Spit at it? Hold up a sign? New Yorkers and other knowledgeable folks, what say you? It's not going to be the focus of our vacation, but I feel it's our patriotic duty to show how much we hate him and reject everything about his administration.
Last time I was in NYC (pre-election) I took a dump in the ladies' restroom at Trump Tower. I felt one pile of shit deserved another.
posted by essexjan at 10:17 AM on March 22, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 10:17 AM on March 22, 2017 [25 favorites]
Response by poster: Ok sorry, I won't spit. Honestly I'm a middle-aged mom who has never actually spit on anyone or anything, so I don't know where the spitting idea came from. I'm just SO MAD.
Also, I am open to you NYers telling me that it's just not okay to even show up and scream. But if there is some ongoing protest presence there, I do want to know about what it is and how to take part.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:18 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, I am open to you NYers telling me that it's just not okay to even show up and scream. But if there is some ongoing protest presence there, I do want to know about what it is and how to take part.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:18 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes, I just want to add, I flushed and everything, I didn't leave it there.
posted by essexjan at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [31 favorites]
Honestly, I would furiously, aggressively ignore it. Like others have said, there are nearby businesses that are trying to get on with their lives.
Perhaps see if there are other actions going on during the time you will be here and participate in those, like the recent human hashtag one.
posted by Liesl at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
Perhaps see if there are other actions going on during the time you will be here and participate in those, like the recent human hashtag one.
posted by Liesl at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
What's the situation there? Well, the lobby is public space. Last I checked, it was open, just with extra security. There's a Starbucks in there, and a Trump steakhouse. Other than that, it's just a very tacky building lobby.
And from the stance of a (one, individual) New Yorker, I find tourists gathering at the tower weirdly upsetting or disturbing. Like, I really don't like that my city is getting attention and financially screwed over because of that fucker. Tourists making the building look popular makes *him* look popular. And that makes me sad.
A few thoughts:
+ Spitting proves that amped security is needed, which is costing NYC money. And it's somebody's job to deal with it
+ Holding a sign out front is a-ok to me, because it signifies that you're not just another gawping tourist/Trump supporter; that you're on "our" side
+ The businesses around the tower have suffered financially because of the barricades protecting it. It would be awesome for you to show your protest by buying shit at as many of those places as you can
+ Awesome if you spend money at immigrant/minority businesses
+ Joining a protest with a bunch of New Yorkers is aces
+ Ignoring is its own kind of protest
posted by Empire Today at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [28 favorites]
And from the stance of a (one, individual) New Yorker, I find tourists gathering at the tower weirdly upsetting or disturbing. Like, I really don't like that my city is getting attention and financially screwed over because of that fucker. Tourists making the building look popular makes *him* look popular. And that makes me sad.
A few thoughts:
+ Spitting proves that amped security is needed, which is costing NYC money. And it's somebody's job to deal with it
+ Holding a sign out front is a-ok to me, because it signifies that you're not just another gawping tourist/Trump supporter; that you're on "our" side
+ The businesses around the tower have suffered financially because of the barricades protecting it. It would be awesome for you to show your protest by buying shit at as many of those places as you can
+ Awesome if you spend money at immigrant/minority businesses
+ Joining a protest with a bunch of New Yorkers is aces
+ Ignoring is its own kind of protest
posted by Empire Today at 10:21 AM on March 22, 2017 [28 favorites]
My answer to this is: while you're there, don't eat at chain restaurants, shop at big brand stores or generally support the kinds of people who benefit from 45s presidency. Instead, go out of your way to patronize single-location local outlets, especially those run by those most likely to be victim of his policies. It's NYC so this is not actually that difficult.
posted by softlord at 10:22 AM on March 22, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by softlord at 10:22 AM on March 22, 2017 [34 favorites]
If you want to jump into a protest and yell in an organized-ish fashion, this is a pretty good resource.
Also, HAVE FUN! :)
posted by Empire Today at 10:27 AM on March 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, HAVE FUN! :)
posted by Empire Today at 10:27 AM on March 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
I would just ignore it, but I don't like going into midtown generally. Maybe grab a falafel from a cart and eat it in the lobby.
posted by Automocar at 10:57 AM on March 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Automocar at 10:57 AM on March 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Surely a middle-finger selfie is swift, popular and free?
posted by Countess Elena at 10:58 AM on March 22, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 10:58 AM on March 22, 2017 [16 favorites]
I'm a NYC native and I heartily second Empire Today and softlord!
posted by ferret branca at 10:59 AM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ferret branca at 10:59 AM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Among NYers I know (including myself) the general procedure is to ignore it if you can, and walk by giving it the finger if you can't.
posted by Ragged Richard at 11:01 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ragged Richard at 11:01 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
There are usually protesters outside the building. The NYPD has set up a small mobile police station outside. There is a large police presence. With each protester, the NYPD is forced to increase security, since Melania refuses to live in the White House.
Most New Yorkers would prefer that the NYPD was not spending millions to protect one woman (who could get all the protection she needs if she just lived in the White House), rather the NYPD should be patrolling and protecting the entire city as a whole.
Joining in the protests at Trump Tower only increases the need to have NYPD presence there. Trump is in DC. Protest at the White House. Let the NYPD spend its money on more important things then Melania.
posted by Flood at 12:10 PM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Most New Yorkers would prefer that the NYPD was not spending millions to protect one woman (who could get all the protection she needs if she just lived in the White House), rather the NYPD should be patrolling and protecting the entire city as a whole.
Joining in the protests at Trump Tower only increases the need to have NYPD presence there. Trump is in DC. Protest at the White House. Let the NYPD spend its money on more important things then Melania.
posted by Flood at 12:10 PM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
People in NYC are, by definition, not in DC. Trump Tower is a legitimate location for New Yorkers (or people in NYC) to protest. Join the crowd outside Trump Tower, add your voice.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:40 PM on March 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:40 PM on March 22, 2017 [4 favorites]
New Yorker asking you to please not contribute to the carnival atmosphere there. If there's a specific protest going on in town, take part in that.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:01 PM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:01 PM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
I walk past Trump tower most days, and 90% of the time someone is taking a selfie giving it the finger.
Mostly it's just annoying and baffling to see people hanging out there if they are not actually protesting.
posted by gaspode at 7:05 AM on March 23, 2017
Mostly it's just annoying and baffling to see people hanging out there if they are not actually protesting.
posted by gaspode at 7:05 AM on March 23, 2017
There's no mom and pop businesses around the tower that need your business.
Moooooostly true, but Ma Peche, Pizza Da Solo, Joe's Shanghai, Ninth Street Espresso, etc. are around there, and I've heard from a few sources that it is indeed sucking for them, to an extent.
posted by Empire Today at 8:17 AM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
Moooooostly true, but Ma Peche, Pizza Da Solo, Joe's Shanghai, Ninth Street Espresso, etc. are around there, and I've heard from a few sources that it is indeed sucking for them, to an extent.
posted by Empire Today at 8:17 AM on March 23, 2017 [2 favorites]
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