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Protesters Will Greet President Obama In Harlem Tonight
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 19, 2012
Modified Jan 19, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 19, 2012
Modified Jan 19, 2012
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While his first re-election TV commercials start airing in key states today, President Obama will be heading to New York City today to raise a little cash. Among the stops are Spike Lee's Upper East Side townhouse (someone is really excited!) and the Apollo Theater. Which means'll be wreaking traffic havoc on the Upper East Side (lots of street closures) and Harlem (as well as the Triborough Bridge and FDR Drive)—here's his agenda:
Per the Daily News, "He'll start at the lavish Upper East Side restaurant, Daniel, where he's scheduled to meet with Jewish Leaders. Donors there will fork over $15,000 per plate. Next, Obama will attend dinner at Lee's brownstone on 63rd Street. The gathering will be small — about 40 people — and tickets begin at a cool $38,500 per person. He'll round out the day at the historic Apollo theater in Harlem, where [Al] Green and India.Arie, will perform. Tickets for that event start at $100 per person and soar to $25,000."
Of course, many are unhappy with the President—MoveOn, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Harlem and locals will be there to make their concerns clear. According to MoveOn, they will "demand that the president hold the big banks accountable by ordering a federal investigation into Wall Street's involvement in the foreclosure crisis, and oppose a sweetheart deal that would give them immunity from investigation" MoveOn's executive director Justin Ruben says, “Millions of American jobs and homes have been lost, but the president has yet to hold the banks accountable for the fraudulent foreclosure practices that nearly torpedoed the economy. President Obama has the power to order a federal investigation and start the year with a real win for the 99% movement. It’s far past time to hold the big banks responsible for the havoc they wreaked on homeowners and the economy.”
And Occupy Harlem protester Nellie Bailey told the news that the fancy fundraising events in Harlem represent "a profound disconnect the sitting President has with poor and working class Blacks that constitute his core base of support." The protesters will be a half block from the Apollo, at 163 West 125th Street (at 7th Ave), in front of the Adam Clayton Powell Building, at 6:15 p.m.
Tagged
apollo theater
barack obama
election 2012
harlem
president obama
spike lee
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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