[fweingart]

City officials say the lighting, which will continue through Sunday, "will become an annual event in the same tradition of the yearly lightings for Christmas and Hanukah."

Apparently you read the article from a different perspective than did I. I would be interested to know what perspective you represent.

[Alberta's Child]

I don't know who these "city officials" are, but unless the city government itself formally arranged to have the lighting done, they have no authority to make any statements about what the building's owners will or will not do with regard to the lights.

The comment that the lighting "will continue through Sunday" was probably based on information that is readily available to anyone who has access to the Internet and checks the building's official website:

Empire State Building Lighting Schedule

Does Robert Spencer think "New York" officially roots for the Giants football team just because the owner of the Empire State Building decided to light it up in blue after the Giants beat the Jets last week?