Activists Rally For Pied-a-Terre Tax At Bezos' Manhattan Home

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Dozens of protesters shouted "Bezos, Bezos you can't hide" in front of the Amazon founder's Midtown Manhattan penthouse on Friday afternoon while attempting to deliver the multi-billionaire a cake. The cake was decked out in green frosting with the message: "Alexa, how do we solve homelessness? Make billionaires pay."

After a few minutes of being stonewalled by a baffled doorman, protesters left the cake in front of the Fifth Avenue high-rise that borders Madison Square Park.

Friday's protest was organized by activist groups such as the Strong Economy for all Coalition, Empire State Indivisible, Hand in Hand and New York Communities for Change to support a Pied-a-Terre tax on the second homes of wealthy New Yorkers. State Senator Brad Hoylman, who introduced legislation to pass the tax, said that the tax would bring in hundreds of millions in revenue each year for the state that could be used to improve the transit system, build affordable housing or fund repairs at public housing developments.

"There should be a premium paid on these outrageously expensive because the second or third homeowner here in New York City takes from all of us," Hoylman said. "They use our police, they make certain that they have jurisdiction from our legal system and they take from us the value that we give to them as New Yorkers. So it's time that they give something back."

Hoylman read from the Sotheby International listing for Bezos' $80 million penthouse, highlighting features such as private bathrooms in every bedroom, a wraparound terrace, views of the Empire State Building from the master bathroom tub and a $5,000 dog bed. The state senator estimated that more than 5,000 properties in New York City that are second homes worth at least $5 million.

Michael Kink of the Strong Economy for all Coalition pointed out that Bezos owns far more real estate than the Fifth Avenue penthouse including a private island in Seattle, a West Texas ranch and multiple mansions in California. Kink's group of activists brought a giant novelty check written out to "the people of New York" for $2.5 million, representing the amount Bezos would have to pay if the Pied-a-Terre tax is enacted.

"We're asking him to pay a small tax on his New York City apartment to fund housing for the 92,000 New Yorkers who are sleeping on the streets or in shelter," Kink said Friday.