Lawmakers Call for July 4th Fireworks to Return to the East Side

by Kelsey Schappell | 07/03/2013 | 3:07pm

Lawmakers Call for July 4th Fireworks to Return to the East Side

New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Councilman Steve Levin, and public advocate Bill de Blasio are getting a jump on next year's Fourth of July festivities.
Three New York lawmakers want to bring the city's annual firework display back to the East Side next year.
 
 
New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Councilman Steve Levin and public advocate Bill de Blasio are urging the city to move next year's fireworks to the East Side River. They made the announcement Wednesday at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a place Councilman Levin says is a prime location for viewing the fireworks. 
 
"Nothing speaks patriotism like the fireworks display over the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York Harbor," Levin remarked. 
 
The last time the fireworks were held on the East River was 2008.The following year the city moved the display to the Hudson to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage. Levin says the city hasn't moved them back due to a lack of resources. Senator Squadron says it's time New York - not New Jersey - got to enjoy the them.
 
"We don't have the world-class fireworks for the state of New Jersey. Govenor Chris Christie is loud, he's brash. He doesn't also need our fireworks," said the Senator.
 
Squadron also said that Macy's was willing to move the fireworks back to the East Side, but the city refused. 
 

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