The spread of COVID-19 in Virginia has led to mass layoffs, school closures, and shuttering of small businesses, disproportionately impacting our Black, brown, and immigrant communities.

Meanwhile, Amazon stock is at an all-time high.

The state of Virginia has already promised up to $750 million and Arlington County has earmarked $51 million in subsidies to Amazon for its HQ2 development.

By establishing its second headquarters in VA, Amazon—a trillion dollar corporation—seeks to be part of our community.

Instead of taking advantage of Virginians who are struggling with increased costs of living, healthcare, and an underfunded education system in the face of COVID-19, Amazon should waive the resources it doesn’t need—funds our communities need now more than ever.

Local governments can direct funds to Black and brown, poor and working class communities who are facing great uncertainty at this time. Immediate aid from these subsidies would allow for enacting a rent freeze, providing basic income, and strengthening unemployment benefits to those in our community struggling because of COVID-19.

Tell Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos: you are the richest man in the world, do what’s right and forgo all taxpayer-funded corporate subsidies now.