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March 22, 2006
Beer boycott is on over Brooklyn arena
Metro NY
By Amy Zimmer
Ever since Brooklyn Brewery’s president Steve Hindy publicized his support for Bruce Ratner’s proposed $3.5 billion basketball arena and high-rise development for the Atlantic Yards, bartenders at Freddy’s Bar & Backroom have discouraged customers from drinking the brew.
Now, they won’t have to.
“The boycott is on,” said Freddy’s manager Don O’Finn. “I have to find the right beer to replace it on the tap beer system, fix the beer list sign, and then Brooklyn is out.”
The article quotes Park Sloper Jon Scieszka, who has started a counter boycott:
“I understand people are upset with the deal proposed by Ratner and it’s something they should challenge him on, but I don’t think they should try to damage Steve Hindy,” Scieszka said. He said the boycotters were using a “kind of Bush tactic, like labeling someone a terrorist so then you don’t have to talk about the issues.”
NoLandGrab: The point of the boycott is that Brooklynites who support those trying to save their homes and businesses no longer wish to enrich those who seek to enrich Ratner.
What Steve Hindy's friend Jon Scieszka apparently doesn't know is that local activists are all about talking about the issues to anyone who will listen. Recently local groups sought a dialog with Hindy, who obliged by meeting and walking the footprint with Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, after which Hindy declared his unequivocal support for the project.
Posted by lumi at March 22, 2006 8:06 AM