← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Otho_Isch
Thread ID: 9304 | Posts: 4 | Started: 2003-08-26
2003-08-26 14:29 | User Profile
[url=http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1061905545294040.xml]http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.s...05545294040.xml[/url]
It seems Mayor Michael Bloomberg is such a controversial figure, his image can inflame passions -- and now so has the disappearance of his image.
When a controversial mural draped on a building adjacent to Engine Co. 212 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn -- one of six fire companies closed by the Bloomberg administration to save money -- was torn down under the cover of darkness early yesterday morning, it created a firestorm -- as well as another dose of ill will toward the city's administration.
Scott LoBaido of St. George, the activist/artist who created the mural -- a 26- by 17-foot banner that depicts the mayor, wearing a Grinch-like grin, shooting a New Yorker wearing an "I love New York" T-shirt -- blamed the mayor yesterday for ordering the artwork removed and blasted him for "tightening the noose on free speech" and making his final march toward "destroying the city."
"The man made millions and billions of dollars as a media mogul expressing his First Amendment rights, but when it comes to mine, I'm not good enough," said LoBaido, who claims one of the building's owners gave him permission to hang the protest banner.
This is not the first time LoBaido has tangled with the mayor, who he blames for ruining the city with his policies, such as the smoking ban and the closing of firehouses, at the expense of the working class.
Earlier this year, LoBaido stood outside City Hall clad in a Superman costume while Bloomberg signed the city's smoking ban into law. He said he chose the Man of Steel outfit because Superman "fights evil."
But the mayor's office said Bloomberg -- who is in Israel on a humanitarian visit -- didn't order the unflattering likeness removed. Instead, they said, it was the owner who asked it to be yanked.
**An amateur video shot yesterday showed two unidentified Hasidic men loading the banner into a car, flanked by two New York City cops. ** But no one has claimed responsibility for the banner's removal. A man identifying himself as the son of the building owner said he had no idea who ordered it removed.
Police officials said they did not receive orders to remove the banner, and insist they were present only to "keep the peace." However, LoBaido was issued a summons for hanging a sign without a license when he picked up the mural at the 94th Precinct.
Locals have kept a vigil outside of the firehouse since it was closed 95 days ago, and many were angered yesterday by what they called the city's "strong-arm tactics."
"It was like a sneak attack," said Dan Wendling, a refrigerator technician and neighborhood resident. "All of a sudden, I look up and its falling to the ground. We didn't even see them coming."
2003-08-26 17:38 | User Profile
Bloomberg has the mural tucked into the hold of his private jet, now zooming toward Israel for a visit.
I'm not kidding.
2003-08-26 17:57 | User Profile
Originally posted by Hugh Lincoln@Aug 26 2003, 12:38 * *Bloomberg has the mural tucked into the hold of his private jet, now zooming toward Israel for a visit.
I'm not kidding.**
I dinna think so.
**However, LoBaido was issued a summons for hanging a sign without a license when he picked up the mural at the 94th Precinct. **
2003-08-28 20:00 | User Profile
Was the owner of the building a Hasid? That would explain why Hasids were present when the banner was being removed. If they were, I'm sure Bloomie put pressure on them to through any number of NYC Jewish organizations.
As described, it's a very provocative banner but what ever happened to New York vs John Peter Zenger, 1733. I guess 1733 was too long ago to remember, and anyway Bloomie probably never read the Constitution.
During the blackout he was shouted off the Bkln. Bridge with all manner of catcalls as he tried to look like "every man". Only NYers weren't in the mood for his bullsh*t that day. As a matter of fact, very little praise has gone his way since the lights went back on, unlike Giuliani who basked in the glow of a thankful and admiring public after 9-11.