President-elect Joe Biden has taken time the night before his inauguration to honor Americans who are grieving the loss of family, friends, and neighbors from the pandemic. A ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC earlier this evening has been mirrored around the country either a candle in a window or landmarks being lit red or ambler to simulate the glow of a candle.
After Biden spoke there was a moment of silence and 400 bell tolls at the Washington National Cathedral to symbolically honor those who have died from COVID-19. Biden said: “To heal, we must remember. It’s hard sometimes to remember. But that’s how we heal. It’s important to do that as a nation.”
Many New York buildings have joined in to pay their respects. The Empire State Building is painted red tonight and at 9pm will dynamically pulse to Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind”.
Other landmarks that turned red or amber tonight are Intrepid Museum, One World Trade Center, One Bryant Park, One Vanderbildt, and Times Square Tower.
“New York City has always, and will always, symbolize the hope and resilience of our great city and its people. We will come back even stronger, and the Empire State Building will be here to welcome everyone back,” said Anthony Malkin, CEO of Empire State Realty Trust. “The Empire State Building Observatory Experience reopened and began to safely welcome back visitors in July, and we continue to serve as the national and international symbol of strength and the ability to overcome any adversity.”