Thousands Protest Atlantic Yards Project

Yesterday, protesters gathered at a rally against the $3.5 billion Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn. Organized by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the rally had entertainment along with words from politicians and famous anti-Atlantic Yards types, including Park Slope resident Steve Busecmi, according to the NY Times, who "read a poem...which included the line" “I’ve played a lot of crazies, but this seems insane.” Rosie Perez said, the project was "an insult to the poor" as well as “I don’t hate [Atlantic Yards developer] Bruce Ratner—I just don’t like him very much."

Were you there? Atlantic Yards Report has a good report of the protest that attracted thousands (estimates range from 2000 to 4000 in the sweltering heat) to Grand Army Plaza - check out the photos of Ratner kissing the head of ACORN. And take a look at more photographs on Flickr.

Photgraph by Shiho Fukada/AP

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By Jen Chung in News on July 17, 2006 8:44 AM

Comments [rss]

weatherman

The rally was held at the hottest part of a day on which the high temperature was 92 degrees. It probably felt much hotter on the large concrete plaza (on a hot day, you can add 10 degrees when you're in direct sun - 102 degrees!) . Whether you agree with DDDB or not, you can't dispute that it was really hot out on Sunday.

nick

the heat on sunday wasn't sweltering. actually, it was quite a pleasant day. dont glorify these people.

Robber Baron Wannabe

People wonder why rents are so high and there's such a huge disparity between rich and poor in this region - Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn is probably one of the most visible manifestations of why these horrible problems exist.

Yes. Grass roots groups are the root of all poverty and crony capitalism will be the saviour of us all. Praise be to the Robber Barons!

draveed

Hey An, I'm curious why you don't like this Randall's Island project. A waterpark sounds awesome to me.

Toby

Can we please send Bruce Ratner back to Cleveland?

Destroy DDDB

Hmmm, how about the people who would love those jobs - are they there protesting, or is it just the rich people who also protest affordable housing being built?

People wonder why rents are so high and there's such a huge disparity between rich and poor in this region - Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn is probably one of the most visible manifestations of why these horrible problems exist.

mihow

How is it I hear about these things after they take place? I know, it's my fault, but had I known this was going to happen, I'd have gone.

Sucks. I hope it works. I hope they change it.

An

speaking of protesting bad development projects.

I feel like the only person that is against the Randall's Island Water Park.

http://www.risf.org/projects_waterpark2.html

They should just redevelop the fields that are there. A water park is a waste of precious water.

People that I have mentioned this to don't anticipate the arrival of a water park.

Better use could be made of this space.

solidago80

Thousands!? Maybe if you count people like me wandering through on the way to the park, getting into heated arguments with chip-on-the-shoulder-wish-I-was-born-in-the-sixties-neo-hippies along the way.