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February 16, 2007
Barclays burden bumps benefit: Fallout continues over Barclays arena
Amsterdam News columnist Tanangachi Mfuni recaps the local controversy brewing over Bruce Ratner's deal with Barclays Bank to sell the naming rights to a new Nets arena for nearly $400 million and reports the latest salvos:
In a letter to The Amsterdam News responding to the January 25 front page article entitled “Barclays’ apartheid past threatens Atlantic Yards,” Barclays spokesman Peter Truell wrote: “Slavery was a heinous period in the history of both the United States and the United Kingdom. We condemn it and are firm in our belief that the partnership bank on which we were founded did not profit from the slave trade or slavery.”
Congresswoman Clarke was not entirely convinced when the AmNews reiterated the bank’s statement to her.
“I can only deal with the reality of my beliefs…and that of the community who feel that Barclays has benefited from the slave trade,” said Clarke speaking to the AmNews by phone Tuesday afternoon.
The congresswoman, who met with representatives of Forest City Ratner last Friday, said she wanted to meet with Barclays next to find out what exactly their intentions are in the community.
“It’s important that nobody in this process be able to take anybody for granted,” said Clarke, who took particular issue with the clandestine nature of the Nets naming deal that many in the downtown Brooklyn community were unaware of until it was announced to the media last month.
Reached for comment this Wednesday, Barclays refused to comment further, referring to their letter, which appears on page 13 in this week’s Amsterdam News.
Related Links:
Barclays responds (letter from Barclays to Amsterdam News)
Barclays’ apartheid past further taints Atlantic Yards project (original article, published 01/25/07)
Posted by lumi at February 16, 2007 10:05 AM