by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 10 – United Nations diplomats have gotten themselves exempted from NYC's $9 Congestion Price payments, even as for example lower income residents of the NYCHA Al Smith Houses and lower Manhattan small businesses complained without recourse about having to pay them.
In a notice tucked into the Federal Register of January 6, the US State Department ostensibly notified the public of "exemption from charges assessed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York for entry into its designated 'Congestion Relief Zone' for foreign missions and certain international organizations. This benefit extends to members and personnel of and representatives to such foreign missions and international organizations."
Perhaps exemption for other countries' ambassadors is understandable, if those countries similar exempt US diplomats. But why allow already overpaid UN staff - and officials like Antonio Guterres and his bloated UN Security detail - to not pay what other New Yorkers - and for example New Jersey residents - pay?
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric refuses to answer Inner City Press' written questions, after having it thrown out of the UN; Melissa Fleming has ignored a request for dialogue on press freedom from pro bono law firm Quinn Emanuel.
Will this change going forward? Watch this site.
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