The Empire State Building is one of the centers of life in New York City. Recently, though, the owners of the Empire State Building have faced questions – and a possible City Council resolution – after they refused to participate in a tribute to Mother Teresa. In a debate that pits private property rights against the city council, the NYC Mother Teresa debate is becoming heated on both sides.
Source for this article: New York City Empire State Building in Mother Teresa debate
Request to honor Mother Teresa's birthday rejected by the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, on a fairly regular basis, will color the lights that shine on the building at night. The building has been lit green for St. Patrick’s Day, red for the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and blue for the launch of new M and M's colors. The Empire State Building owners refused a request to light the building in blue and white to honor Mother Teresa's 100th birthday. The administration of the building has refused without comment.
The NYC Council gets involved
After the Empire State Building refused their request, the Catholic League began to plead their case to the New York City Council. The New York City Council will consider a resolution on Wednesday that was written to force the building to display blue and white on that day. The head of the Catholic League has also taken this argument past the city council, starting an online petition and organizing marches in NYC.
The legal rights of the Empire State Building in New York City
The Empire State Building is a privately-owned piece of real estate in New York City. 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, on average, receives one to 3 requests per day to light the building for a special event. 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 may have any effect.
Does this discussion bring up the question of church and state separation?
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 Company is a private entity that is afforded the freedom to choose who it works with. The New York City Council, nevertheless, is a government entity. It may be a question of separation of church and state if the City Council tries to force a private entity to participate in a religious observation.
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