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While many businesses around the city are steering clear of the current polarized political discourse in America, The Standard hotel is diving in headfirst. The chain's High Line location just installed a phone booth that directly connects visitors to the U.S. Capitol's switchboard. Anyone who enters the booth can pick up the receiver, punch in their zip code and choose to dial either their congressperson or senator.
If you freeze up on the phone and aren't sure what to say, the Standard has your back. It provides a Mad Libs–esque script in the booth that gives callers simple, precise language for voicing concerns.
Photograph: Courtesy The Standard/Clint Spaulding
This isn't the first time this year that the Standard has entered the rocky political landscape. In March, the company released a statement hailing the diversity of its employees and guests in response to President Donald Trump's proposed travel ban.
Over the past six months, New Yorkers and people across the country alike have taken action and relentlessly voiced their concerns to elected representatives. In early February, senators were receiving as many as 1.5 million calls per day.
If you don't want to head out to Chelsea, there are plenty of ways to take action and become politically active in New York City. You can also call your elected representatives on your own accord—no phone booth necessary.