On Jan. 3, the Downtown Brooklyn Star published its countdown of the Top 10 Stories of 2007, and Duffield Street even surpassed the Atlantic Yards. They wrote:
#1: City Backs Down on Duffield Street
Who says you can't fight City Hall and win? Don't tell that to Joy Chatel, who was in danger of losing her home through eminent domain so that the city could tear it down and build a parking garage. A bad enough situation as it is, but Chatel's was no ordinary home. She, and may others, contend that the home was a stop on the Underground Railroad, run by members of the Abolitionist movement who were active in Downtown Brooklyn. Late in the year the city did an about face, claiming they no longer needed the home and Chatel saved an important piece of history.
Joy constantly repeats that this was not just her victory, but a great achievement for everyone involved, including City Hall. There are many people who helped make this happen, including a vigilant press— such as the Downtown Brooklyn Star.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Joy Chatel is #27 of Brooklyn's Top 50 Most Influential
Friday, May 16, 2008
HDC Honors Duffield Defenders
The Historic Districts Council honored the Duffield Street coalition yesterday at their 2008 Grassroots Preservation Awards. The event got off to a strong start with Reverend Billy, who gave a rousing defense of the importance of free speech icons such as Union Square. Here is a video of Rev. Billy's defense of public space, or as he would say, Preservaluliah. The other awardees were Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, DUMBO Neighborhood Association, Juniper Park Civic Association, Council Member Jessica Lappin and Brownstoner.
The advocates for 227 Duffield closed the event with several moving speeches by FUREE, Jennifer Levy, Lewis Greenstein and Joy Chatel. Many groups and individuals deserve credit for our efforts to promote Brooklyn through the celebration of the heroic defiance against slavery all along Duffield Street. HDC has long been an advocate, and we would like to thank them. There are too many people to thank, but one group that does deserve recognition is Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance.
