De Blasio had closed off Times Square to the hundreds of thousands who typically gather in Times Square, Reuters reported:
Mayor Bill de Blasio and police officials have told New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike to stay away and watch pared-down festivities on television. A large contingent of police officers will barricade the area to prevent unauthorized people from gathering, aiming to prevent an event that could accelerate the spread of the virus in a city already struggling to contain it.
…
“It’s going to be actually, arguably, the most special, the most poignant, the most moving New Year’s Eve,” de Blasio, who will push the button to start the crystal’s ball descent, told reporters. “In 2021, we’re going to show people what it looks like to recover, to come back.”
So the sight of the mayor and his wife, Chirlane McCray, dancing to celebrate the New Year while barring others from the Square enraged viewers — particularly after the mayor’s office added insult to injury by tweeting a video of the event.
Happy #NewYear from the greatest city in the world. pic.twitter.com/47CmOAanxD
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 1, 2021
Ladies and gentlemen: Everybody should stay home this year. You cannot come to Times Square.
Also, Ladies and gentlemen: Bill de Blasio will be dancing in Times Square.
If you don't see communism in New York City, You should reevaluate yourself immediately. https://t.co/CHP3fbGCRO
— Joel Fischer (@JFNYC1) January 1, 2021
LOL Andy Cohen was channeling the frustrations of every single New Yorker this year. GET IT TOGETHER MAYOR DEBLASIO! pic.twitter.com/g3ZUjW4MJo
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) January 1, 2021
De Blasio retweeted the video of himself dancing in an empty Times Square, apparently oblivious to the mounting criticism.
