

The Illuminator, the Occupy group that does projections, hit Barclays last night with messages decrying “eminent domain abuse” and “crony capitalism.” (Last week, the Illuminator was in Kensingston to support the workers at Golden Farm grocery with the slogan “Justice for Felix.”) Occupy and other groups are gearing up for protests tonight and over the weekend, as Barclays prepares to host its first event, a Jay-Z concert, Friday night. The New York Times has marked the opening of Barclays with a lengthy front-page article today about Bruce Ratner, the history of the project, and the controversy surrounding it. The Wall Street Journal noted that Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and his sister have donated $1 million to the nearby Brooklyn Academy of Music. As for the protests, starting at 7 pm tonight, a candlelight vigil will circle the area twice, and the Occupy Guitarmy will lead the group in song after, to mark the start of the weekend “occupation.” At a press conference Friday at 11 am, local residents will speak about the impact of Barclays on their lives. From noon to 4 Friday, performances will take place, including the Reverend Billy and the Tax Dodgers. At 8 pm, there will be a free outdoor screening of the Battle for Brooklyn. On Saturday, FUREE will lead a permitted march calling for “housing, jobs and justice” starting at 4 pm. It will wind by several downtown development sites and end at the arena at about 5 pm. For more info, click here. Thanks to a reader for sending in these photos. Click through for more images.



Nets Helped Clear Path for Building in Brooklyn [NY Times]

Playing Ball in Brooklyn Arts [WSJ]

Barclays Blast-off [NY Post]

Barclays Set to Dazzle [NY Daily News]

Atlantic Yards Supporter BUILD on Shaky Ground [AYR]

Daily News Goes Rogue; Critics Filed “200 Lawsuits” [AYR]