I like lilacs

Yesterday, at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
Pictures are nice, but the scent is divine.

Saturday, May 3, Brooklyn - a day of protests, rallies, speeches and street art

Firstly, the counter-demonstration. I went to the Rally (Sat, May 3, Pacific Ave, Brooklyn) of people opposed to the planned stadium and luxury condo development of the Atlantic Yards 'hood and before I even got there I ran into the counter-demo organized by the trade unions and the stadium developer, Forest City Ratner.

Got out of that mess and found the real rally, sponsored by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, who I think of as the good guys. They're at http://www.developdontdestroy.org/

These signs say what everyone knows - the counter-demonstrators were paid to participate. They were also bussed in from Long Island and Connecticut to parade as 'local' labor union members.

The fabulous Velmanette Montgomery, New York State Senator representing the 18th Senatorial District in Brooklyn, speaking out against the planned development.

The effervescent Letitia James, New York City Council Member, representing the 35th District in Brooklyn, and representing the views of the residents of her district - develop don't destroy! And stop tearing down the neighborhood! (see yesterday's blog for photos of destruction in progress, brought to you by Forest City Ratner).

Tony Avella, New York City Council Member, representing the 19th District, Queens, speaking out against unfair use of eminent domain to destroy homes for commercial development. He's also running for mayor in NYC in 2009. Something to consider.

The completed murals (see yesterday's blog for artist's painting murals the previous afternoon).

Tony Avella happens upon the murals and is actually surprised - he said they were his first campaign billboards..and they were free!

What it is...Atlantic Yards developers vs. neighborhood residents

The first set of images is of muralists painting the walls at Carlton Ave and Dean St, Brooklyn in preparation for today's rally at Pacific and Carlton/Vanderbilt. Get the whole story at http://dddb.net/php/photos/index.php

The Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) beginning to bloom behind the wall. This is same kind of tree of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" fame. The species is ubiquitous in greater New York.

The next set of images shows the re-development already "in progress." Planned blight.

Gorgeous 19th C factories that were built to last (barring wrecking balls and billionaire developers) being destroyed to make way for modern apartments.

Yesterday, and other subway rides heretofore