Gov. Kathy Hochuls order to light One World Trade Center green for Muslim American Heritage Month sparks controversy

Democratic New York Gov.Kathy Hochul sparked outrage Friday after ordering that 16 state landmarks – including Manhattan’s One World Trade Center – be illuminated in green to celebrate “the heritage and culture of Muslim Americans.”Hochul’s decision to light up the skyscraper erected on the site where the Twin Towers were knocked down by terrorists during the 9/11 attacks was decried as “tone deaf” and “disgusting” by several social media users.“The twin towers were unable to be lit green tonight,” Queens Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino wrote on X. “It’s disgusting that the Freedom Tower – which stands at the World Trade Center site – is lit in green to celebrate Islam,” fumed Angela Morabito, a spokeswoman for the Defense of Freedom Institute, in a post on X.   “What ‘contributions of Muslim communities’ are you honoring here, Governor?” she continued.

“The time the worst among them killed thousands of innocent Americans?”Hochul signed a proclamation Friday declaring January as Muslim American Heritage Month in the Empire State for the first time. “The resilience, compassion, and contributions of Muslim communities help make our state stronger,” the governor wrote on X, including images of One World Trade Center and other buildings in the state lit up in green – which is considered a sacred color in Islam. Several social media users were left in disbelief by Hochul’s order. “There must be some mistake, this can’t be real??” wrote one shocked X user. Political activist Drew Pavlou remarked, “Lighting up the new World Trade Center in the colours of Islam is a bit much, don’t you think.” “Of all the tone deaf things, this is the deafest,” another person argued.Hochul noted that New York is “home to the largest Muslim American population in the nation,” and the governor said the state “remains committed to being a beacon of hope, tolerance, and inclusivity that celeb...