Coney Island: Last Day for Astroland

Sunday was set to be the last day ever for Astroland. Thor Equities are keen to flatten the site so they can get on with their plans to build time-shares. As Gowanus Lounge puts it: "Our sadness isn't so much that Astroland is going, but that it may be going long before its replacement comes along. Next year, if developer Joe Sitt uses the land as a bargaining chip to pressure the city or exacts revenge for a rejected plan or evicts the former owners because he couldn't squeeze an extra $500,000 in rent from site, the vacant land surrounded by a blue wall of plywood will sit as a dagger through the heart of one of the most diverse destinations in all of Brooklyn."

Save Coney Island Astroland: Posters for the Rally

Posters have been released for Sunday's midday rally to keep Astroland open. Here they are as letter sized PDFs for you to print out and take along. Just click on the thumbnail to open the PDF.

Eminent Domain Rally: More Coverage

There's excellent coverage of the Eminent Domain Rally over at Norman Oder's pages. Links for some of the groups that participated: Willets Point Industry & Realty Association Harlem Tenants Council No Land Grab Duffield Street Underground Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Institute for Justice

Target PVC Protest

This afternoon at the Atlantic Center, activists protested against the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in products sold at Target. According to the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), "The familiar smell of your new Target shower curtain is that of poisonous chemicals being released into your home." CHEJ also alleges Target sells childrens' toys and baby products that contain harmful chemicals. Lauren Hamid (left) handed out flyers stating that "just one PVC bottle can contaminate a recycling load of 100,000 recyclable bottles."

Duffield Street Eminent Domain Threat: "It's Racist"

Today at City Hall the FUREE rally raised media awareness of the planned use of eminent domain to seize historically valuable properties in downtown Brooklyn in order for an underground car park to be built. The properties are widely believed to be part of the Underground Railroad where slaves were hidden and helped to escape. Joy Chatel, (pictured below, second left), spoke of the need to preserve the site in order for future generations of children to connect with their past, and prevent peer-induced violent crime. Council Member Charles Barron, (below far left) said flatly, "This [use of eminent domain] is racist". Most of the speakers called the AKRF analysis, which stated there was insufficient evidence of the historical connections to prevent the seizure of the properties, a lie. Jorge Montalvo (left) from NYC EDC was on hand to answer questions. He can be reached on 212 312 4266. Joy Chatel from FUREE (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality) can be reached on 718 643 1385. Here at BIB we have copies of the FUREE press release which we are happy to email out or post up on the blog. Just drop us a comment requesting them. Further Reading. No Land Grab FUREE (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality) The Underground Railroad