SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY: Presidents’ Day Protest Against Privatization of Liberty State Park

Friends of Liberty State Park are organizing a Presidents Day Group Photo Protest on Monday, February 15 at 1pm.

“People opposing Governor Christie’s commercialization and privatization plans for this sacred and priceless American park,” says organizer Sam Pesin, “will put democracy into action to honor Presidents Washington and Lincoln and stand together behind Lady Liberty, with signs to give the Governor a clear message—that Liberty State Park must forever be a free and green urban open space, a national treasure behind Lady Liberty and Ellis Island.”

The commercialization/privatization proposals put forth by the NJDEP and Governor Christie include a hotel, conference center, company to book large-scale admission-fee events on waterfront lawns, commercial amphitheater, amusement park, restaurants, and more.

The Coalition to Save Liberty State Park has support from key elected officials including Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Senator Stephen Sweeney, Senator Sandra Cunningham, Senator Loretta Weinberg, and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.

Participants in the protest are asked to gather near the Flag Plaza in LSP’s South Overlook Lawn. Ample parking is available.