« DDDB PRESS RELEASE: Atlantic Yards Arena Bonds Appear to Be Illegal | Main | As Perkins pushes for reform of eminent domain laws, Paterson stands ground, backs ESDC's appeal in Columbia case »
December 21, 2009
Back on the chain gang
Here's a round-up of media coverage of yesterday's "Chains of Justice" protest at Freddy's, the last-bar-standing in the footprint of Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project.
NY Post, 'Cuff' love protest for doomed bar
Patrons of a popular Brooklyn watering hole chained themselves to the bar yesterday to protest a court's upholding its closing to make room for the controversial Atlantic Yards project.
Freddy's Bar & Backroom regulars slapped on handcuffs and chains in a symbolic protest they vow to repeat when authorities actually try to seize the bar.
Last month, New York's top court said the state can force homeowners and businesses to sell to make way for the development.
"It's more than a bar, it's a community meeting place," said Donald O'Finn, owner of the Dean Street bar in Prospect Heights, who said that the chain links "represent all the people in the community."
Photo: G.N. Miller/Post
NetsAreScorcing, NETS ON THE NET: 12/21/09 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE EDITION
In a sign that opponents of the Atlantic Yards development are going to continue to disrupt the progress of this project, despite the recent legal victories and financing handed over to developer/Nets owner Bruce Ratner, patrons at Freddy’s Bar in Brooklyn, which is slated to be knocked down for the Nets new arena, chained themselves to the bar in protest.
sharocks the blogspot, more reason to hate atlantic yards
must support: freddy's backroom. the proposed atlantic yards project that will bring a new jersey basketball into my hood is threatening my favorite neighborhood bar, freddy's backroom. in a protest against the impending take over, freddy's installed chains on the bar. no joke, here's proof.
get your pints and support freddy's. here's hoping the take over will be delayed indefinitely.
rotoinfo, Critics Threaten Civil Disobedience to Stop Arena
Construction crews have been working outside Freddy’s Bar for a while now, waiting for condemnation to permit them to finish the job. On Sunday, patrons at arena critics’ favorite watering hole chained themselves to the bar for an hour in a symbolic protest. They pledged to do the same thing when they’re asked to leave in a few months. Others opposed to Bruce Ratner have said they’ll do the same.
Runnin' Scared, Anticipating Atlantic Yards Eviction, Freddy's Bar Wraps Itself in Chains
The locals at Freddy's Backroom -- a cozy Prospect Heights bar with a rabble-rousing clientele -- could be found getting sloshed at an especially early hour on Sunday. At high noon, and with the assistance of a group of mildly drunken onlookers, manager Donald O'Finn was fastening a giant metal chain to the bar's wooden counter.
The locals then handcuffed themselves to the chain and spent the afternoon watching football, drinking whiskey with their free hands.
AP via NBC New York, Freddy's Patrons Protest Atlantic Yards
AP via Boston Globe, Supporters of popular Brooklyn bar try to handcuff eminent domain ruling
Posted by eric at December 21, 2009 9:43 AM