Quarreling over Liberty

The week's news at a glance.

New York

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week harshly criticized the federal government for keeping the Statue of Liberty closed since the Sept. 11 attacks. The New York Times reported that the foundation that maintains the 118-year-old statue had had the money to pay for security upgrades, but dawdled while it raised $7 million more. Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced that the statue’s pedestal would reopen in July, although the crown would remain off-limits. Bloomberg said the entire site should be opened, even if every tourist must be escorted by a police officer. “This is a symbol of America,” he said. “Come on, let’s stand up and have some guts.” The Interior Department is investigating whether the foundation’s use of private money was proper.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up