Develop-
don't destroy
BROOKLYN Press
Release Main Page
For Immediate
Release: October 23, 2006
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn Walkathon
Raises
Over $100,000 for Legal Fight Against Ratner's Atlantic Yards
Over 1,200 Donors Prep Fight Against Eminent Domain Abuse,
Environmental Degradation and Undemocratic Development Process
BROOKLYN, NY— On Saturday, October 21st, at the
Second Annual Walk Don’t Destroy Walkathon, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn
(DDDB) raised over $100,000 for its legal war chest in preparation for looming
legal battles against the abuse of eminent domain, a faulty environmental
impact statement, and the subversion of democratic process engendered by
Forest City Ratner’s “Atlantic Yards” development proposal.
On a beautiful fall day nearly 400 walkers and their 1,200 sponsors raised
substantial funds in the one-day Walkathon held in and around Prospect Park
in Brooklyn. After the two mile walk, walkers enjoyed a concert and heard
speakers including City Councilman Tony Avella, DDDB Attorney Jeffrey Baker
and DDDB Advisory Board member actor/director Steve Buscemi.
At the post walk concert at the Prospect Park bandshell, DDDB attorney Jeffrey
Baker said, “The ‘Atlantic Yards’ proposal violates the UDC Act, the State’s
environmental laws, and the U.S. Constitution. We are going to win this
fight.”
Confirming the momentum and growing size of the opposition to Ratner’s mega-project,
the money raised at the event nearly doubled the amount raised at last year’s
First Annual Walkathon.
“As everyone knows legal representation is costly. And though we augment
our attorneys with a superb team of local volunteer attorneys our looming
legal fees could reach up to one million dollars,” said DDDB spokesman Daniel
Goldstein. “This Walkathon is just a part of our ongoing fundraising efforts.
We call on all concerned citizens, city, state and nationwideall citizens
who care about democracy, fighting eminent domain abuse, corporate welfare,
and the right of communities to have a meaningful voice in their futuresto
contribute to Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn’s legal fund over the coming
months.”
Photos from the Walkathon can be found here: www.dddb.net/php/latestnews_Linked.php?id=291
(High resolution photos available upon request.)
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