Forum Post: Remember it is a PUBLIC Park.
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 28, 2011, 11:24 a.m. EST by doctorproteus
(84)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
After reading, seeing, and hearing news yesterday of different manners of techniques to use to actively or passively discourage various "types" of people from going to the park; I would like to remind you all that whether you support OWS or not, Zucotti park is still a Public space, and EVERYONE is still welcome to use it whether they want to protest or not. So if all of you in OWS leadership (or lack thereof) roles, keep this in mind and drop the hubris you are displaying in trying to assert some kind of ownership of a public space. Practice what you preach. The movement is supposed to be "about 99%" well part of that 99% you clamor about so frequently includes the homeless, the ex cons, and a variety of "free loaders" (even those among your cause!) If you don't like or want to identify with those more "unsavory" characters, then STOP touting your slogan of "99%". And be ready to share the park with people who are there for what ever reasons they are there.
Yes...
It is not a public park. It is a privately owned park and the owner has allowed the OWS to use park.
Sorry Shalimar, it IS a public park. The owners of the Building in front of if got a huge tax break in exchange for maintaining it and having an open 24 hour policy. That way their air space would not be blocked by another highrise immediately in front of their windows. This deal was made in the 60's.
I have to recant part of this, I spoke to an architect who is familiar with the district's zoning laws. The technicality is that is a privately owned space that must be open to public use 24 hours. So semantically, Shalimar is correct in that its owned by Brookfield. Tho the bigger point remains public use does not limit it to protest use.
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