« Willets Pt. biz owners protest eminent domain | Main | City Creates More Than 18,000 Affordable Housing Units »
July 6, 2007
Veto Vito! Group Protests Assemblyman
Brooklyn Downtown Star
By Jeffrey Harmatz
Several unhappy Brooklynites have taken to the streets to protest what they feel are corrupt political moves made by New York State Assemblyman Vito Lopez. A rally was held outside of a Kings County Democratic fundraising dinner to protest Lopez’ involvement in the creation of the 421-a housing loophole for Forest City Ratner regarding the Atlantic Yards Development and his support for Surrogate’s Court judge candidate Shawndya Simpson. Demonstrators also took issue with Lopez holding the position of State Assemblyman while simultaneously serving as Chairman of the Kings County Democratic Committee, which they claimed to be a conflict of interest.
“We feel that County Democratic leader Vito Lopez is going against the best interests of Brooklyn is using his powers the wrong way,” said rally organizer Chris Owens, who is the president of the New Brooklyn Leadership and the son of former Congressman Major Owens. “He is creating a $100 million windfall for Bruce Ratner and promoting the election of an inexperienced judicial candidate. We want Lopez to resign as either party leader of assemblyman, Simpson to end her campaign, and Governor Spitzer to veto the 421-a legislation.”
Posted by lumi at July 6, 2007 8:01 AM