Brooklyn Says NO to Atlantic Yards (again) - Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist)'s Photos

Jul 29, 2009

The Atlantic Yards project, directed by mega-developer Bruce Ratner, is in its death throes, a victim of the declining economy. But wait - can Bloomberg and Paterson extend a helping hand and bail out another billionaire? Not if Brooklynites have their say. Over a hundred turned out today, called together by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), outside NYC Technical College where the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), the state body that has overseen this boondoggle of a land-grab scandal, was holding hearings to see how Ratner could be helped to more of the taxpayers' money.

Here are pictures I took of that protest and news conference today. - Matt

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Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > What's going on - monster high-rises in Downtown Brooklyn - dwarfing everything in sight, blocking sky and sun, congesting the streets to an even greater extent. This is our spineless political leaders' vision of "progress" and of Brooklyn's future.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > This is what it's all about. Save our communities ... from avaricious developers.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Ken Diamondstone, progressive candidate for City Council in the 33rd district, joined the protest.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > A large and spirited crowd of Brooklynites marched outside the ESDC hearings to demand an end to the Ratner Atlantic Yards scandal.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Daniel Goldstein of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, flanked by fighting NYC Council Member Letitia "Tish" James.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Assemblyman Jim Brennan, Public Advocate candidate Norman Seigel and Daniel Goldstein of DDDB at a news conference outside ESDC hearings in Brooklyn.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Listening to speakers at the DDDB news conference outside the ESDC hearings on Jay Street.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Council Member Letitia "Tish" James gave a rousing speech to the assembled press and protestors outside the ESDC hearings in Brooklyn today.

Matthew Weinstein (bicyclist) > Surrounded by protestors, Council Member Letitia "Tish" James addressed the press and demanded an end to the Atlantic Yards project.

What's going on - monster high-rises in Downtown Brooklyn - dwarfing everything in sight, blocking sky and sun, congesting the streets to an even greater extent. This is our spineless political leaders' vision of "progress" and of Brooklyn's future.