Is “cancel culture” really the reason behind the end of Albany’s annual Capital Holiday Lights in the Park?

Albany Common Councilmember Owusu Anane, who represents the city’s 10th ward, believes so.

In a social media post that was shared widely on both Twitter and Facebook Monday evening, Anane believes that the annual fundraiser was a victim of “cancel culture.”

Anane’s post received significant backlash from neighborhood associations, fellow elected officials, and City Hall.

“If ending a takeover of a public park that led to dead puppies and children stuck in a car for two hours begging to go to the bathroom is succumbing to cancel culture, happy to oblige – and we’d do it again in a second,” responded David Galin, chief of staff to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

Gabriella Romero, the councilwoman-elect for the city’s sixth ward, responded to Anane’s tweet saying, “I’m SO proud of us for what we’ve accomplished over the past few months. We are not a “small group of people” and we “actually” did what people power is supposed to do – demand a seat at the table, and organize to get things done.”

“Define small group? Are you referring to the four neighborhood associations, the Washington Park Conservancy, Historic Albany Foundation, Walkable Albany, the council member, council woman elect, the two county legislators, the administration, the folks chiming into this post, the letters to the editor or the TU editorial board, the numerous people and letters addressing the common council about their deep concern about this event? I’m lost. This a tough and polarizing issue, but don’t minimize advocacy and the voices of residents,” noted Daniel McEneny, who chairs the board for the Washington Park Conservancy.

In an updated comment posted Tuesday morning, Anane unapologetically responded to the comments:

“At the end of the day, the cancelation of this event means that a large chunk of revenue from Albany’s Police Athletic League is now in flux. For decades the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL), Inc. has provided numerous educational, recreational, and athletic programs to more than 4,000 Albany youth each year. PAL has served as an after school safe haven for Albany’s youth. In particular, many of our Black and Brown youth. By canceling this event with no plan to effectively assist PAL to make up for the loss of fundraising, we are effectively saying to our city’s youth that we don’t care if these programs end – even though our kids need now more than ever.”

The annual fundraiser, which started in 1997 as a benefit for Albany’s Police Athletic League, has been ranked one of the top holiday attractions in the Capital Region. However, as noted by the Times Union and other outlets, the event has been criticized for the number of vehicles that traverse Washington Park and the environmental impact the light display has upon the grounds of the park.

In October, both Albany PAL and the City of Albany announced that this year would be the final within Washington Park.

“Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park has been a Capital Region tradition since 1997,” said David Bauer, chairman of Albany PAL. “In this, our twenty-fifth and final year here in Washington Park, we look forward to bringing our area residents this symbol of hope, love, and peace that defines the holiday season. And while we are sad to leave our home, this 25th year will be a fantastic send-off. We look forward to the continuation of the lights show, so that PAL can continue to support the more than 2,000 children and families of Albany who participate in PAL programming annually.”

Sheehan said at the time, “As beloved as Lights in the Park is in the Capital Region, this car-centric, heavy impact event has taken its toll on our historic Washington Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. In order to preserve this historic treasure in our city for its next 150 years, and continue our work to achieve our carbon reduction targets, the time has come to acknowledge this event is not consistent with these goals.”

Albany PAL has yet to announce where the 2022 fundraiser will take place. Suggestions have included the Harriman state office campus, the Empire State Plaza, the Rensselaer esplanade, and the University at Albany’s uptown campus.