Who Is John Zuccotti and Why Was His Park Picked for Occupy Wall Street?
- Posted on October 22, 2011 at 2:37pm by
Mike Opelka
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Who is John Zuccotti, and why was the park that bears his name chosen for Occupy Wall Street?
Zuccotti Park, sans Occupiers
The 74-year-old Zuccotti is co-chairman of the board of the $3.2 billion dollar Brookfield Properties, a multi-billion dollar real estate development firm.
Mr. Zuccotti has longstanding ties to parks and city government as 40 years ago he was a paid, part-time member of the city planning commission and in the mid-1970s was appointed deputy mayor of New York City.
Additionally, Brookfield Properties has links to city government — Diana Taylor, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s frequent companion, sits on the Brookfield Board of Directors co-chaired by Zuccotti. (To be fair and accurate, Ms. Taylor is more than just the mayor’s girlfriend. She happens to be an accomplished businessperson with an impressive resume that includes high-ranking positions in banking and a large utility company.)
And then there are the financial connections between Brookfield Properties and the Obama Administration.
The Union Leader of New Hampshire reported that the Obama administration has backed a local wind farm (tied to Brookfield) with taxpayer dollars. The title of the story, “A NH Solyndra? Wind farm gets fed loan” leads one to believe that the project is probably on shaky financial footing. The Union Leader connects the dots from the White House to Brookfield and then, in the wake of the Solyndra bankruptcy, questions the financial wisdom of this loan.
Why would a company created by a $3.2 billion company and backed by a $2.7 billion private fund need federal loan guarantees? That would be an important question at any time, but it is more pertinent after the bankruptcy of Solyndra, a solar-panel maker that got a $535 million federal loan guarantee from the Obama administration last year.
You might wonder how the Obama administration chose Brookfield from all of the companies looking to cash in on the government stimulus money. The answer to that question is a simple one: Joe Biden. Biden’s son, Robert is a partner in Oldaker, Biden, & Belair, a DC lobbying firm that in their start-up years (2002-2003) was hired by Brookfield.
The New York Times recently interviewed John Zuccotti about the Occupy Wall Street protests and his park, and one of the statements he made to the writer makes you wonder if he has actually been to lower Manhattan and seen what is happening in the 33,000 square foot park.
“If you go there, you can’t tell the protesters from the tourists,” he added. “It has a kind of festive atmosphere.”
As someone who has visited OWS several times in the past five weeks, I can state without reservation, you can easily tell the protesters from the tourists. And in many cases this can be accomplished using just your sense of smell.
One wonders if Mr. Zuccotti’s wife would find the anti-Semitic statements made by many protesters to be a “festive environment?” Susan Zuccotti is an award-winning author of four books about the Holocaust, two were honored by the National Jewish Book Council.
WHY ZUCCOTTI PARK?
Why was this park chosen over the dozens of Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) found in Manhattan?
In the area below City Hall, the NYC lists 41 POPS, so we ask again, why Zuccotti?
The easy answer to the question is the standard first rule of real estate — “location, location, location.” Zuccotti Park is located in the heart of the Financial District and it happens to be one of the largest POPS in the city. Combine these realities with the friendly connections to NYC’s government as well as the White House and Zuccotti Park is without question the best possible base of operations for Occupy Wall Street.
Since this protest movement claims to have no formal leadership, no central organization, and no official declaration of demands, it seems slightly suspicious that this alleged spontaneous gathering ended up in the largest free, public space in the Wall Street area.
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Comments (80)
jungle J
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 8:28pmAs someone who has visited OWS several times in the past five weeks, I can state without reservation, you can easily tell the protesters from the tourists. And in many cases this can be accomplished using just your sense of smell.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:49pmSorry, but the question should be “The Zuccotti is named after whom” not “named after who.”
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:03pm@JZS
The grammar police is out! I guess that’s a diversionary tactic, intended to conceal the stench that surrounds the OWS project.
Report Post »dsind
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:05pmjzs once again sets the whole world straight!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:09pm@JeZuS
Report Post »You are a complete ID 10 T and you have the PEBKAC disease. Why do you keep posting here you commie poster?
The-Monk
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 11:17pm@JeZuS
Report Post »And “whom” are you named after.. JeeeZuS? Come on back fool and respond to me. Funny that you always post a bunch of junk and never reply when confronted. WWJzsD? Coward!
Therightsofbilly
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 11:38pmHi Monk,
JZS will play the “I can’t hear you……..la la la la la” game for a while.
He likes to think he is above responding to people he feels superior to. He did after all, once refer to himself as a “Storied Blaze Poster”
But if you keep after him, he will break. Just keep bringing up his marxist tendancies.
Report Post »Infidel49
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 1:25pmWho needs correct grammer when our 1st Amd rights are being stepped on. Oh, only conservative grammer that is, I forgot.
Report Post »just happy
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:03amdo you hear what Glenn is saying every day and even as I type this? Glenn Beck Groupie here, how about we all try to comment in the Spirit that Glenn has been trying to teach us for the last two years- pray for your enemies. try to educate the ignorant not entrench them in their ignorance. You change things for Good when you change them by using LOVE, and even if they don’t change, you have still gained by adding your love to the vibes of the world.
Report Post »swimmer1940
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:38pmThe sign showing no no’s for the park forgot to post “no pooping”.
Report Post »LongJohns
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:52pmSpeaking of signs, did anyone else see the two Libyan “freedom fighters” holding a sign that said, “Today Libya, Tomorrow Wall Street”? Considering that these “freedom fighters” have been to the White House a few times and met with Obama, does this concern anyone else?
Report Post »saranda
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:22pmBrookfield is a Canadian company. At one point this companies major revenues were from the Montreal Canadien hockey team and it building The Forum.
Report Post »Brookfield is a very successful asset management company that owns power generation, real estate and infrastructure.
ruoncrack
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:13pmDon’t forget Adbusters, the magazine credited with starting the whole OWS is also Canadian. Don‘t you see we’re infiltrating your American demcracy via our stealth ways. Our plan is to get Obama another term and completely socialize your medicine. Once we accomplish that we’ll get same sex marriage legalized before beginning to work on multi-lingualism (english-spanish in your case). We‘re a patient country but most Americans are so unaware of what’s going on that I‘m pretty sure we’ll succeed.
Report Post »TxMadMac
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:24pmThe Obamas wallow in the lap of luxury and play with all their rich white friends all the while knowing that the jobs bill is a big lie. It’s only paybacks to their rich white friends and no jobs included. Sorry brothers, it ain’t about you, it’s all about him. You see my friend, I’ll try to help you because I love the Lord. If you want any help from obama you’ll have to sell your soul to the devil.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:34pmPreach it brotha!
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:14pmThick as thieves!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 8:51pmOh what a taggled web we weave…..
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:41pmIf the Obama administration can hide all of the president’s school records for this long, they can hide all of the Occupy organizational secrets. Because the MSM are their lap dogs ( witness all of the accusations/ turmoil the International Left has raised about Murdoch to try to destroy him and his conservative news outlets ) , no one will investigate nor uncover the truth about this. Welcome to the New World Order : Mafia/ Gangster / KGB / Taliban styled intimidation. Character assassination is the present American form !
Report Post »wildwood
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:34pmThe democrats are cashing in getting rich off the stimulus money and wanting more1!!!!It is unbelievable the circle of Obama friend that are getting all the tax payer money!!!!!
Report Post »America why were we so careless and let these money grabber bankrupt our country!!!!?????
We have to stop it in 2012!!!!!!!!!!
jessieH
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:09pmI wonder if he’ll say the same thing when one of the paid protesters takes a dump in the front seat of his car.
Report Post »SlippedThroughAWormHole
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:34pmLove the sign that says “No Skateboarding, Rollerblading, or bicycling allowed in the park”. Urinating and defecating apparently is okay though. What’s wrong with this picture?
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:00pmSLIPPED: Yes, Wish they would also add : No Occupying
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:53pmHaving some Jewish blood in my veins, I am offended by the anti Semitic crap spewing out of OWS. Why aren’t there more outcries from Jews in NYC? Do they enjoy being treated that way? Is this the beginning of the great sellout of Jews to the new Holocaust?
Report Post »UrbanCombatSurvivor
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:11pmBecause, by and large, this whole movement has been propagated by jewish professors at state run universities. I cannot explain the psychology of this, but the sad truth is that Communism, Socialism, and the banking systems that support them are jewish institutions.
Why do they tolerate the anti-jewish slant? I guess for the same reason jewish banks loaned money to the nazis, and why it’s a jewish man who is funding this entire push towards communism(George Soros was born George Swartz, and was a jewish collaborator with the nazis).
It may be unpleasant, but it’s the truth. You’re part jewish you say? Then please explain it to those of us who aren’t, and have no idea why?
Report Post »GadsdenGurl
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:48pmThe Union Leader plagiarized their info from RBO Blog.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:48pmNotice how none of the newspapers, who used to have teams of top notch investigative reporters haven’t even connected one dot, or even bothered to try…
What boggles the mind is, if the media really thinks, somehow, for even the briefest of moments that because its been backing the liberals, that it will be immune in their leftist agenda world…
In all countries where the left takes over, the media is the first to be taken over, usually those in the media outlets are to do as they are told or removed, there is no special treatment for anyone under authoritarian regimes, you mean nothing.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:45pmThe International Left in London is already trying to destroy Murdoch and his conservative outlets. And their American Lefties are trying to attach this to Fox in order to silence Fox in the process. Watch out. The political Mafia is alive and quite active all over the globe..
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:42pmThank goodness for GBTV, is all I have to say.
Report Post »Tronix
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:45pmNot only are the media…..the “useful idiots” are wasted too. They are not useful anymore, and it’s very common that they are among the victims of the early stages of any new authoritarian system. They end in some re-education camp, or in a ditch. They really don’t know they are all working for the devil, and that’s the way he rewards his slaves.
Report Post »UrbanCombatSurvivor
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:13pmMaybe you didn’t notice, but….ummm…the left took over the US media decades ago…
Report Post »Ed Brown
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 12:37amHere is a pertinent link regarding Obama’s DOE loan to Brookffield wind farm interests:
http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/09/168-9m-granite-reliable-doe-loan-guarantee-finalized/
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:45pmThe irony of OWS is that these protestors account for only 1% of the country’s population. The other 99% of us are laughing at their naivete and foolishness.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:57pmPlease know that many people laughed at Hitler ( Charlie Chaplin even made a movie parodying him ). When someone targets , scapegoats, intimidates , and disrespects the rights of fellow citizens , it is best to view them with suspicion and concern. OWS meets that stress test. They are potentially more dangerous than humorous.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:36pmHis company just recieved millions from Obama in the form of tax payer money…….he was told Not to kick the free loaders off the park he owns……..Now, does this not sound like the kind of thing these idiot protesters Shoulds be protesting?
Report Post »ruoncrack
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:04pmI’m sure you have something more than your saying so to back that up. I‘m sure it’s not like you to simply make up stories.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:19pmZuccotti says he finds it “kind of festive”.
I mean…who doesn’t? Personally, I especially love the festive, Shi##ing, *******, vomitting, drug usage, drum beating and anti semitism. Overall it’s just a swell festival.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:12pmGlad to see young families preparing – I am an old dog – However I am preparing to help my kids and grandkids – They do the same thing I did at there age – Therefore they do not see the slow train wreck.
Report Post »I have most everything (guns/ammo, gold/silver, water/food. However thats not going to last forever.
Best buy for future is land and animals.
GOD Bless and stay safe – It’s getting close – spring/summer 2012
olddog
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:18pmYes it is, 2012 will be the year and we are all aware of many of the people behind it but not all..
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:47pmthat park looks like one cold place. where will they go when winter kicks in? will someone supply heaters at tax payer exspence of course. i can see it now with tents and kerosene heaters.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:22pmWhen that happens the FIRE MARSHALL should step in!
TEA!
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:33pmI am looking forward to the first solid winter storm…..May it be cold and come early
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 12:08amHidden-Lion
While on one hand I agree with you, part of me hopes for a warm and balmy winter. I would like to see them occupy until the stench reaches from sea to shining sea.
I want that smell to be in every nose when the voting booths open.
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:44pmDear Mr. Zuccotti,
I will teach you the same trick I use to differentiate protesters from tourists in your park.
Are they taking a dump on a police car? If the answer is yes, they are not a tourist.
Report Post »PATRIOTGRUNT
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:41pmMy MY MY . There is no end to OBUMMERS scamming and planing to make sure that he becomes our “ DEAR LEADER ” is there. Spontaneous OWS my@ss. Liar ! Liar !
Report Post »ssbstspd
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:33pmThis is when the Tea party needs to step in and take over the media attention. While the sheeple still have memory of the wall street protesters. Then lets see how the media treats the tea people then ? Im sure it will be the same old but im sure it would leave the media spinning like a top in circles.
Report Post »olddog
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:22pmJesus my friend, there is No Media in America other than Fox and they’re marginal. All the rest of the media ia merely an arm of the leftist party. There’s No Media…
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:33pmWould the teaparty support Cain’s 999 plan?
Report Post »ssbstspd
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:26pmGreat article : You just can not dismiss the facts. Way to many connections here to even be considered coinceidental. I bet you Obama somehow funneled money to brookfield. Threw that shady wind farm in New Hampshire. Here’s a couple million, now im taking over your park with my goons and minions. And we all know Mr bloomturd has no backbone and always follows his orders. I bet you Obama hand picked this brookfield women for bloomburg. You just can’t mke this stuff up.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:25pmThanks to all the “Defenders” of freedom. I posted about this story and sure enough it brought out at least one progressive. Those that read my post and supported it thanks. It‘s obvious who is for freedom and constitution and who isn’t just by the way they respond.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:13pmJESUS, unless YOU and GOD are planning an intervention here real quick on behalf of YOUR brothers and sisters/ kids, we are going to be seeing YOU GUYS sooner than later, looks like.
I just want to thank YOU while I can right here right now in public for being my lifeline my lifetime long. I owe YOU everything. I thank YOU for everything and for loving me and carrying me mistakes, warts and all. I have loved living in YOUR most blessed country in the entire world as well as in one of YOUR most beautiful countries in the entire world.
YOU are greater than he who is in this world. I am grateful for that, too. THANK YOU for loving us to give us life in this world and eternity in the next with YOU. I sing to YOU and to the HOLY SPIRIT, with a grateful, full heart. THANK YOU, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR YOU, FOR JESUS YOUR SON AND FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Be seeing YOU ALL soon. I claim YOUR joy in JESUS’ name, amen.
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:29pmAmen!
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 6:38pmThere will be no intervention because this is what is supposed to happen according to scripture. It is going to suck much worse.
Report Post »hannahh
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:13pmCursed is the man who trusts in man Jer 17:5. Lord remember we never put our trust in obama, we have always trusted you.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:07pmTwo things so far:
Report Post »1) The more that is written about the “Occupy Whatever Protest” the more well planned it is shown to be not a spontaneous movement.
2) They hide in plain sight.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:16pmIndeed, often the best way to make something oblivious to most people is to hide it out in the open.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 2:49pmIts a shame I spend all my free time from work, trying to prepare, read and educate myself on the surroundings of events. Thank God for the blaze how would a hard working new father in so Commufornia ever be able to get information. I would rather spend quality time with my daughter but nope.. I have to find the best prices on ammo, back up supplies parts, food. Then hope the Government doesn’t come and try to take what I have earned, all the while dissecting data to see what is real and truthful and what is not. These are very scary times. I am so glad I have accepted Christ as at least when I am shot and killed by the Government i will know where I am going. Thanks Beck for the info that us working class folk just cant’t obtain (resources/time.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 2:56pmWha?
Report Post »And this relates to the park story how?
copatriots
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:01pmWow……stay strong, KORBIN! You know that your true and lasting citizenship is bound eternally in heaven! You are doing all the right things in be prepared. We know ultimately how this will all end. May God richly bless you for your faith in these most trying times!
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:04pmShow a little kindness, Aggie! He’s just giving a shout-out to The Blaze. Other than Drudge, I‘m not sure where else we would get or learn what’s really going on……notably in the Obama Admin. This story is a prime example. See if you ever find it mentioned on any other media.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:04pmINFORMATION, understanding our environment what these protests are really about, who’s behind them how all this connects. Not that I have to explain to you. The fundamental transformation of America, the potential for marshall law, the Government shutdown of the radio/tv broadcasts across the USA. could go on for hours. Its my take on things, whats your trip.
Report Post »korbin
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:06pmCopatriots, Thanks. God bless you and your family.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:11pmAggie
Does it Matter??? If so WHY??? I enjoyed what he had to say.
Report Post »Tronix
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:26pmThat’s the spirit!! God bless you.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:36pmWe are “retired”, but young enough in spirit, mind, body and soul to still fight. We stand with you! GOD BLESS.
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:38pmGood observations, KORBIN! The Blaze is, indeed, a helpful media source, one which makes itself credible with plenty of confirming videos. But there are a number of additional news sources you might want to consider adding to your daily news regimen, including these four: the Drudge Report, NumbersUSA, Rasmussen Report, and the Heritage Foundation.
Blessings, and Lord come quickly.
Report Post »INTHEMATRIX
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:14pm@korbin
Report Post »Dude,I two have spent the better part of 2 years preping, I’m tired,broke,andnever thought it would come to this. I see the clouds of civilwar forming this sucks. I took an oath 18 years ago to up hold constitution against enemies foreign and DOMESTIC, and now its time to pay up. I’m in good company
with the likes of you. oora
lapua338shooter
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 11:09pmWhen it all goes down & it hits the fan, look us up here in central Fla. We have a sizeable piece of dirt here in the sticks. Well protected & it has water. Plenty of room to grow things & there’s deer, hogs & turkey. We’re about 75% ready on this end. We may fight & they may win, but they’re gonna know they were in one helluva fight.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 2:45pmAl Capone… would love Obama!
Report Post »olddog
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:44pmAl Capone had some type of integrity, which is a no for BHO..
Report Post »