Last night at 8 PM, New York City’s landmarks were lit up in blue as part of the global initiative #LightItBlue. Originating in the United Kingdom, #LightItBlue is part of a global initiative to transform iconic landmarks in cities around the world into a “beacon of blue.” More than 150 places in the United States beamed in blue, and in New York City and surrounding area, 1 1 World Trade Center, Madison Square Garden, the Times Square billboards, the Queens Museum, Barclays Center, Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, the Beacon Theater, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Niagara Falls went blue, among many more places.
#LightItBlue efforts in the United States are being led by a collective of people in the events and entertainment industry. The press release for the event calls it “a collective salute to the millions of essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Joe Zenas, the lead organizer of the event in the United States and the CEO at Thinkwell Group, a design and production agency said, “We’ve been so inspired over the past few weeks by the cheers of our neighbors around the world – and we wanted to bring this collective gratitude to an even bigger stage here in the U.S. This is a heartfelt ‘thank you’ from those of us at home to those of us who are going to work each day to keep our country going.”
In challenging moments, it has been common to find architectural ways to express a sense of solidarity. Last week, the Empire State Building turned into a pulsing red for first responders. In the past, 1 WTC has been lit up in support of March for our Lives, for the terrorist attacks in France, LGBTQ Pride, and more. City Hall, the city’s bridges, and more lit up in green for the Climate Change Accord.
