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July 21, 2006
A mega-development looms in Brooklyn
People's Weekly World
By Dan Margolis
PWW's report from the rally covers the growing opposition to the Atlantic Yards proposal, the bypassing of democratic institutions, eminent domain displacement, race and class divisions, the developer's past broken promises and massive taxpayer subsidies without legislative review of the project.
An estimated 4,000 people gathered here July 16 to protest a $3.5 billion development deal that critics charge would lead to “instant gentrification” and radically alter the political landscape of this borough.
Chris Owens, Democratic Party primary candidate for Congress in Brooklyn’s 11th District, recalled that three years ago, when the project was first announced, hardly anyone was against it. “It was very lonely,” he said. Now, though, there is a growing movement to stop Atlantic Yards, despite Ratner’s claims that the project is a “done deal.”
Local entrepreneur and activist Bob Law said the project has had no real community input. The developer bypased the “white, Black and Brown” City Council, preferring to work with the Republican mayor and governor. “This fight is not just about development,” Law said, but also about “power for the people.”
NYC Councilmember Charles Barron noted that much of the development would be done through use of eminent domain, or the threat of it. Ratner has been threatening residents that if they do not sell their property to the developer, their homes will simply be taken through eminent domain for less.
Posted by lumi at July 21, 2006 9:25 AM