In an intriguing turn of events, just before the clock struck midnight on International Women’s Day and the commencement of the “A Day Without A Woman” general strike, the lights illuminating the Statue of Liberty suddenly went dark. This occurred shortly before 11 p.m., leaving Lady Liberty shrouded in darkness. At that moment, no explanation was offered, but the symbolism of the blackout was unmistakable.
The statue remained unlit for over an hour, prompting many to reflect on the timing. One Twitter user remarked that it felt “too perfect,” with some speculating that Lady Liberty was joining the strike in solidarity. Others suggested that the blackout could be linked to President Donald Trump’s updated travel ban affecting several Muslim-majority nations or the Republican Party’s new proposal to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, which many believed would disproportionately impact the elderly and low-income individuals.
The organizers behind the Women’s March and the general strike even expressed their appreciation for Lady Liberty’s apparent support. However, as midnight approached, the lights flickered back on. According to the National Park Service, the outage was due to a power issue caused by a malfunctioning lighting system controller, as reported by the Washington Post. They clarified that this unscheduled blackout was not connected to the general strike in any way. Jerry Thompson, a public affairs officer for the NPS, emphasized that “we don’t use the lighting system to back any particular cause.”
Despite the official explanation, many on social media continued to draw connections between the timing of the outage and the ongoing movements for women’s rights. Although the lights returned to the Statue of Liberty, the “A Day Without A Woman” events were still in full swing across numerous cities. If you’re interested in participating, check out the Women’s Strike website for more information.
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In summary, the unexpected blackout of the Statue of Liberty just before a significant women’s movement sparked a wave of commentary and speculation. While the NPS clarified the power issue’s cause, the symbolic weight of Lady Liberty’s darkness on such a pivotal night was not lost on the public.