Gothamist: Elana Levin, Community Organizer & Williamsburg Warrior

thfs

Tue, 10 May 2005 11:34:14 -0500

dm- when did anyone ever turn apartments into a mayonaise factory?

dm

Wed, 04 May 2005 15:04:31 -0500

It's silly to think that Williamsburg won't be developed. It's also silly to not question the intentions of these groups. Read the article about Dana Ruppert and the New York Industrial Retention Network in the New York Times: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6091EF73A5A0C758DDDAD0894DD404482&incamp=archive:search The NYIRN is out to displace the very people Elana Levin is proud of empowering; in the name of 'economic justice' for the manufacturing companies. Out of the very goodness of their hearts these non-profiters are displacing musicians and artists in order to protect the poor corporations (who pay thousands to advertise in the NYIRN 'almanac').

F

Wed, 04 May 2005 10:55:01 -0500

Consider the fact that 90% of the new buildings will be created in the Greenpoint section of Greenpoint/Williamsburg, and consider the fact that life long Greenpoint residents (people whose families have lived here for generations, who rent, who own property, who will be here for far more generations) have been waitng for a plan such as Bloomberg's for over a decade, and welcome it with open arms. I think the newbie young Williamsburg activists' opinions "The Gothamist" highlights should be put into perspective. It's funny how they were silent when the luxury towers were being built in their neighborhood (ex, Gretch Building, Schaeffer Landing and every variance approved by CB1 for residential development in manufacturing zones of Williamsburg over the past eight years.)

K

Tue, 03 May 2005 17:32:44 -0500

This photo is hilarious: http://www.williamsburgwarriors.org/stinktowers.jpg - makes me love the fact I'm not living in WB.

Krissa

Tue, 03 May 2005 15:56:13 -0500

Well done, Gothamist - great interview subject. I've known Elana for 6 years (we were suitemates in college) and she's a passionate, stirring person. Plus, great hair, right? Well done, Elana and keep it up, Gothamist.

phillip

Tue, 03 May 2005 15:48:51 -0500

wow. condescend much, louie? first, let me tell you a little something about elana. elana is one of the hardest working people i know. she does not own a luxury condo and until quite recently took her meals at my house most days because she didn't have any freaking money. she's not doing any of this (and elana is involved in a hell of a lot more than just the rezoning fight) for personal glory or to feel better about herself. she does it because she has to. elana's activism and community involvement is completely genuine and sincere. also, quite simply, she gets it. she has a profound understanding of how it all works as regards community organizing, city, stae and federal governments. there are folks twice her age who don't have the grasp of the workings of government that she does. i only wish we could clone her because if i had a couple hundred more of her we could change the whole world for the better. your characterization of her (and for the rest of the warriors, et al) is way the fuck out of bounds. your comments are borderline anti-semitic, classist and sexist hey! you hit the trifecta!

thfs

Tue, 03 May 2005 15:22:14 -0500

hey Louie- You can condescend and mock the Warriors all you want, but you have no idea about the really excellent grassroots advocacy that they've generated. Nor do you have any idea who is an "out of town trust fund JAPS who own luxury condos." Even if true, how is that relevant to a group that fights for affordable housing and against bad development?

Hilton

Tue, 03 May 2005 14:58:16 -0500

I find your use of the term JAP to be incredibly offensive and probably quite anti-semetic, given that this organizer's name, Elana Levin, couldn't be any more Jewish. But besides that, I think you're quite unfair to just dismiss her cause because it involves an artsy area. She seems to understand political activism better than even the early Clinton, who tried to push health care reform without any understanding of coalition building, the importance of primaries, and the overwhelming power of the business community. I am not necessarily saying Ms. Levin has got it right, or that I agree with her statements, but I wouldn't just dismiss her or her organization. After all, at least she's trying, which is certainly a lot more than can be said about 98% of the people out there.

Louie

Tue, 03 May 2005 13:44:59 -0500

Is it me, or arent these the "williamsburg warriors" that are the out of town trust fund JAPS who own luxry condos on Broadway already, and use this 'activism' thing as an excuse to throw benefit parties for their various narcissitic wanna-be art-snob endeavors? e.g. "Re-enacting Washington’s crossing of the Delaware Riverin colonial meets glam-rock attire ..." Or do i have them confused with someone else?