Activists Protest at Judges' Parking Lot

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New York Daily News | March 21, 2008

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By Elizabeth Hays

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Daily News Staff Writer

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Members of Transportation Alternatives, dressed up like jurists, demonstrate in front of parking area being used by judges.

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A group of protesters Thursday heckled Brooklyn judges who are threatening to sue the city over plans to ban them from parking on a pedestrian plaza in downtown Brooklyn.

The protesters, members of the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, donned fake judges' robes and mocked the jurists for refusing to move to an underground garage at the new courthouse just two blocks away at 330 Jay St.

"Two blocks is too far!" chanted the half-dozen hecklers outside the judges' parking lot at Joralemon and Adams Sts., which is on city parkland.

The protesters also carried mock placards reading "SOS: Save Our Spots" and "Parks are for Parking."

The rally came after a group of judges told the Daily News last week they were considering suing the city to save the controversial parking perk.

The judges argue that for security reasons, they need to park close to the old Supreme Court building where they decide civil cases - even though the head judge allegedly promised in 1999 that judges would move to the new courthouse's garage when it opened.

TA spokesman Wiley Norvell said the fake protest was aimed to "show how absurd and petty the judiciary is being about their parking privilege. To contend that a pedestrian plaza can and should be a parking lot for judges is unconscionable."

The city's plan to boot judges' cars off the plaza is part of a compromise hammered out with the Office of Court Administration after the Daily News chronicled the issue in 2006.

Under the plan, workers are slated to begin installing a new curb cut directly into the Columbus Park lot this spring, which will eliminate about 20 of the 50 to 60 spots.

Supreme Court Judge Abraham Gerges, who Thursday took over as the court's head administrator, said he hoped to meet with advocates and community leaders about the issue.

"There are very serious security issues that have to be looked at," said Gerges, a former city councilman.

"This is not a simple issue where you can say, 'The judges just don't want to walk across the street.' It's far from it."

Submitted by ali on March 21, 2008 - 12:39. categories [ ]