The Stop Shopping Choir
Rev. Billy
Walking to the Union Square Cafe owned my Danny Meyer
Union Square Community Pushes Back
Keep public parks public was the rallying cry Wednesday Night at the “Push Back Picnic” organized by the Community Improvement District and Reverend Billy to stop the privatization of Union Square park.
The action highlighted awareness of the privatization of the northern end of Union Square park by the Union Square BID (Business Improvement District). The BID partnership that is financially backing the project would privatize part of Union Square giving public space to restaurant owner Danny Meyer for an upscale dinning area. Danny Meyer and others found willing partners in corporate chains that surround the park such as Barns and Nobles and Whole Foods.
A lawsuit filed by the Union Square Community Coalition has halted construction of the new restaurant but renovations continue. In an area that has the highest density of restaurants and the lowest density of public space, there is no need to put in another upscale restaurant.
The protest began with a theatrical sermon by Reverend Billy and ended with a march to the front door of Meyer’s restaurant, the Union Square Café. “We went into his private space because that’s how we feel about him coming into Union Square.” Stated Reverend Billy.
Yesterday’s action was one of Reverend Billy’s last before taking a short break to write a book. Still, he says he will return to the park should construction resume to build the restaurant. In the meantime, he sees enough support from New Yorkers to defeat the pavilion plan.
The action highlighted awareness of the privatization of the northern end of Union Square park by the Union Square BID (Business Improvement District). The BID partnership that is financially backing the project would privatize part of Union Square giving public space to restaurant owner Danny Meyer for an upscale dinning area. Danny Meyer and others found willing partners in corporate chains that surround the park such as Barns and Nobles and Whole Foods.
A lawsuit filed by the Union Square Community Coalition has halted construction of the new restaurant but renovations continue. In an area that has the highest density of restaurants and the lowest density of public space, there is no need to put in another upscale restaurant.
The protest began with a theatrical sermon by Reverend Billy and ended with a march to the front door of Meyer’s restaurant, the Union Square Café. “We went into his private space because that’s how we feel about him coming into Union Square.” Stated Reverend Billy.
Yesterday’s action was one of Reverend Billy’s last before taking a short break to write a book. Still, he says he will return to the park should construction resume to build the restaurant. In the meantime, he sees enough support from New Yorkers to defeat the pavilion plan.
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