Title : Protesters swarm Amazon's Seattle headquarters
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Protesters swarm Amazon's Seattle headquarters
- More than 100 people participated in the 'March on Amazon' protest which began at Seattle Central College
- 'We are demanding council to not backslide on $75 million dollar tax,' said city council-member Kshama Sawant
- A Facebook post describing the demonstration said that the march was intended to protest the online retail giant's 'corporate extortion of our city'
- The city wants to institute a 'head tax' which will force big businesses to fork over $500 per-person they employ
- The local government is expected to raise $75 million dollars from the tax with Amazon expected to pay over at least $20 million of the total sum
Protesters swarmed Amazon headquarters in Seattle on Saturday to demand that the company fork-out millions in proposed taxes.
More than 100 people participated in the 'March on Amazon' protest which began at Seattle Central College before heading over to Amazon headquarters in South Lake Union, according to KOMO News.
'We are demanding council to not backslide on $75million dollar tax,' said city council-member Kshama Sawant, who organized the protest along with the Affordable Housing Alliance.
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More than 100 people participated in the 'March on Amazon' protest which began at Seattle Central College
A Facebook post describing the demonstration said that the march was intended to protest the online retail giant's 'corporate extortion of our city'
After beginning at Seattle Central College, the march headed over to Amazon headquarters in South Lake Union
Jeff Bezos (pictured), Amazon's founder and CEO, is the world's richest man with an estimated net worth of over $90billion
'Let's call Mayor [Jenny] Durkan's bluff,' Sawant added, referring to the mayor's push for a lower 'head tax' on businesses.
A Facebook post describing the demonstration said that the march was intended to protest the online retail giant's 'corporate extortion of our city'.
Not everyone, however, was supportive of the marchers, with one person telling KOMO News that policy changes affecting Amazon negatively could have a devastating outcome.
'This is ridiculous,' said Keith Steinke. 'They shouldn't dare Amazon to leave. I wouldn't want to see the consequences if they do.'
Amazon recently announced that it has halted construction on a massive new project in downtown Seattle over a proposed 'head tax' passed by the City Council in a 5-4 vote earlier this week.
The 'head tax' refers to a $500 per-person tariff the city wants to impose on big-businesses that will help pay for social programs like caring for the homeless.
The local government is expected to raise $75 million dollars from the tax, with Amazon, the city's largest employer, expected to fork over at least $20 million of the total sum.
Since the first vote was taken by committee, a second vote is scheduled on Monday for final approval of the 'head tax' proposal.
Council member Kshama Sawant addresses her head-tax rally at Seattle Central College before marching to the Amazon Spheres on Saturday. The event was hosted by Sawant and the Affordable Housing Alliance
Amazon, along with Alaska Airlines, Expedia and others have all vocally come out against the bill.
Mayor Durkan said that she will not support the 'head tax' proposal, arguing that the city should not risk hurting businesses who provide vital jobs to hard working people.
'Unfortunately, the bill that pass out of committee hurts workers by stopping these good jobs, so I cannot support it,' Durkan said in a statement.
'I will continue to work with council and remain hopeful that council will pass a bill that I can sign,' she added.
The city wants to institute a 'head tax' which will force big businesses to fork over $500 per-person they employ (Pictured: Amazon HQ)
Organizers of Saturday's march argue that they are fighting against 'Amazon's bullying' and want to tax 'big business to fund affordable housing.'
'We must stand up against Amazon's bullying! We cannot allow them to continue putting corporate greed before the rights and well-being of their workers and the cities they reside in!' the march's Facebook page said.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and CEO, is the world's richest man with an estimated net worth of over $90 billion.
The local government is expected to raise $75 million dollars from the tax with Amazon expected to pay over at least $20 million of the total sum.
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