The Empire State Building in NYC is one of one of the most legendary pieces of architecture within the city of millions. The Empire State Building owners have generated a tempest with their refusal to participate in a birthday celebration for Mother Teresa. This debate, heated on all sides, is setting private property rights against city council rights.
Resource for this article: New York City Empire State Building in Mother Teresa debate
Empire State Building rejects request to recognize Mother Teresa
On almost every single day of the year, the Empire State Building is lit in a variety of colors to celebrate anything from Pride week to St. Patrick’s Day. A group called the NYC Catholic League submitted a request to the Empire State Building that it be lit blue and white on August 26, Mother Teresa's birthday. The request of the Catholic League was refused without remark or reason.
NYC Council involves themselves in the debate
The Catholic League appealed its case to the NYC Council after their request to the Empire State Building was refused. The New York City Council will consider a solution on Wednesday that was written to force the building to display blue and white on that day. The Catholic League has also started an online petition, organized marches, and gone to the media.
The rights of the Empire State Building in NYC
The Empire State Building in NYC is a privately owned building. The Empire State Building Company L.L.C. is responsible for the building, the operation, and also the management of the building. On the application for becoming a "lighting partner" – having the Empire State Building lit up for a specific reason – an entity has to agree to the following statement:
“Due to the high volume of applications, the Empire State Building Company is under no obligation to provide specific feedback to any individual or organization regarding the status, merit, and/or denial of its application.”
The Empire State Building receives more requests to light the building each year than you will find days. It is not clear under which city regulations the New York City Council can force the Empire State Building to honor Mother Teresa, or if the resolution could have any effect.
Separating church and state?
The New York City Council's actions may bring up legal questions of separation of church and state. The request was made by the Catholic League, a religious organization. The Empire State Building Business is a private entity that is afforded the freedom to choose who it works with. The New York City Council is a government entity, though. The City Council might raise a church-and-state-separation issue if it tries to force a private company to participate within the observation of a religious group's celebration.
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