Wednesday, July 1st, was the evening of the ”Fight The Bid” picnic to save Union Square Park. Attendance and spirits were high, and Wednesdays will continue to be rally days as this hard battle for New York City public land rages on.
Reverend Billy has been the lead town cryer at the USP rallies. He declared of Bloomberg and the local Business Improvement District (BID), “They say it’s not over taxes! So no one has a say! Next thing you know, the police will come and control the area that goes private, and we will lose our first amendment rights forever!”
Back on June 5th, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez defended USP privatization to the public, claiming that all farmers she spoke with were in favor of the city’s plans to privatize the pavillion.
A little interviewing of the farmers on June 13th proved that in reality, there were mixed feelings on the subject.
Several local farmers were asked how they felt about Mendez’s plan, and her claim that all farmers were in favor of the private restaurant. They were also read off Mendez’s words that electricity and water would be provided to them, as well as shelters during bad weather.
Of four farmers questioned at random, two hesitated to answer until they were assured that their anonymity would be preserved. Even then, they took great pains to form their answers in terms that, it seemed, they felt would be above misinterpretation.
One farmer hestiated to answer because of a 30 year business history with USP. ”My relationship is with the Greemarket, and the Greenmarket works with the city. I can’t afford to ruin that relationship.”
After a promise not to give names, questions came forth. “They say the utilities will be free, but will my monthly rent for the space go up? I already pay a great deal as it is. Also, will these utilities help everyone? Some of us have no need for them. Others have already invested a lot of money into providing our own, so for some, this could be a waste.”
A second nameless farmer stared off eastward upon questioning, shifting thoughtful poses a few minutes, as if painstakingly searching his mind for words that would not be regretted.
“From a logistical standpoint, I have to ask many things about this plan. As for personal opinion, that is far too complicated to be answered in one session here. There are social forces at work that go deeper than can be explained now.”
Then there was the gentleman who worked for, but does not own, Migliorelli’s farm stand. He made it clear that he does not speak for Migliorelli’s officially, but he definitely has an unclear stand on the situation. “We have to keep our stand further south now. Yes, there is more foot traffic here, and maybe more business that way? But it is also very difficult to work there because there is so much less room.”
Elly has been selling goat cheese from her Patches Of Star Dairy stand for years at USP. She stated blatantly “How can we know whether or not this plan is any good for us? We have heard of many versions going back and forth, but we haven’t seen the final version yet. We have no idea what is going on!” Way to go Elly!
One thing Mendez did not mention is whether or not the local artists were in favor of the privatization.
Historically, artists have always set up their wares on or near the south end of the park. Development on the north end had resulted in farmers being pushed further south, as noted by the employee of Migliorelli’s. How did they feel about this?
One girl who asked her name not be revealed, said it was no skin off of her nose, since artists with permits can always set up in some other spot. “I’m all for captialism, and besides, what can you do to fight progress?”
Another selling Brooklyn T shirts, was also a woman of few words, preferring to display her feelings with signs posted to her table. “Artists yes! GREENMARKET YES! Park Privatization no!”
Still another artist at the south end, said he was eager to share his views but, unfortunately, the timing of the interview wasn’t working for him. He did insist that I find and speak with Robert Lederman. Lederman has garnered more media attention over the years for his ballsy activism than for his actual art. One could say he is famous yet not, depending on what circles you run in. The height of his work appears to have come during the Guiliani era. Samples of his deeds can be found here, as well as in the website The Konformist.
http://www.americanpolitics.com/101299Lederman.html
In summary, the feelings of those who make their living in USP, and who make it special for people of all walks of life, was not glowing and positive as Mendez suggested. The overall vibe was one of confusion and uncertainty. More than that, there was an overwhelmingly disturbing sense of fear; fear from all of those who were simply asked their honest feelings on the matter.
Is this not a sign of the very first amendment rights violations, protestors have been screaming about? Should those who have contributed so much to the local community, be rewarded with so much anxiety?
There’s much more to come. So far, applepreserves has heard no word on the USP hearing open to the public, which Mendez mentioned on June 5th. When or if such a hearing arises, the info on where and when will be posted here.
You can help save USP in the meanwhile by signing the online petition at: http://saveunionsquare2008.blogspot.com/.
Per Reverend Billy, they have 3,000 signatures so far, and 10,000 are needed. Please send the word and the URL around to friends and family. Celebrate Independence Day in the image our founding fathers cemented for us; under the ideal of government for, by and of the PEOPLE, not the almighty dollar.
