Occupy, community groups protest at Barclays Center the night before Jay-Z’s opening concert
Protesting the unfulfilled jobs and housing promises made by developer Forest City Ratner when seeking approval for Atlantic Yards, the development that includes Barclays Center arena, guitar-playing members of Occupy Wall Street’s (OWS) “Guitarmy” marched over the Brooklyn Bridge to the arena late Thursday, planning to occupy the center overnight.
Another coalition of local community groups called Atlantic Yards Crime Scene also planned civic action, including a candlelight vigil at Barclays Thursday night.
Rapper and Nets basketball team minority owner Jay-Z is set to present the first performance to be held in the arena Friday night. According to OWS, the group would be holding a “teach-in for Jay Z and his fans” from 4 – 6 p.m.