bklyn-museum-protest-04-2008.jpg
Between 80 and 100 people showed up to a Develop Don’t Destroy-organized protest outside the Brooklyn Museum last night, according to Atlantic Yards Report, to publicly decry the cultural institution’s decision to honor Bruce Ratner at a gala. AY Report’s Norman Oder says the protest “was notably angry,” with some in the crowd holding up signs that said things like “Ratner is a liar” or calling the developer a “con artist” or proclaiming Atlantic Yards a “dung deal.” In a separate post, Oder notes that the Forest City Ratner Companies Foundation gave the museum $100,000 in 2005 and another $100,000 in 2006; the foundation’s donations from last year have not yet been disclosed. The gala last night cost from $500 to $1000+ a plate.
“Shame!” Crowd Outside Museum Shouts “Ratner’s Bad for Brooklyn” {AY Report]
Photo by Brit in Brooklyn.


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Stop changing the subjects. They are both relevant to the story, but at least Ratner’s $$$ produces results, whereas DDDB et al are miserable failures at what they do.

    “I wish Bruce’s gang would talk about the issues rather than name calling.”

    I wish Daniel Goldstein’s gang would come up with a new line other than accusing every pro-AY person as an employee of Ratner.

    Yawn……….

  2. Gosh, now we are rich activists!!! I wish Bruce’s gang would talk about the issues rather than name calling. The corruption, how he bought off Acorn, how he then reneged on his promises, this is the story, not the people at the demonstration.

  3. I agree, 3:09. If hundreds of buildings were being razed and thousands of residents displaced, then perhaps the NIMBYs would have a point. But displacing a few people is more than a fair trade for a sports arena, housing, office towers, etc. When the inflated prices that owners were paid for their homes is take into consideration, the NIMBYs look even more foolish.

    I am 100% confident that their pathetic protest will have absolutely no bearing on the Brooklyn Museum’s financial strength. All of DDDB’s past “boycotts” have amounted to nil (e.g. protesting shopping at Atlantic Center, boycotting Brooklyn beer, and so on).

    When will these guys realize that they are in the minority? A few web sites and bored rich “activists” does not a movement make.