The Vox Pop Coffee Shop in Ditmas Park Brooklyn was vandalized last night and the victim was Liberty. Lady Liberty.
An eight foot replica of the statue of Liberty stood outside the popular local hangout and had recently been restored by local artist Renie Weinstein.
A stunned Vox Pop owner Debi Ryan had one question this morning as she opened the cafe. Why? "Everyone was so happy that she was restored."
Vox Pop opened four and a half years ago but it was about to go out of business when Ryan came along and saved it, turning it into a 'for profit neighborhood collective" . That means The Vox Pop is actually owned by the neighborhood residents.
The statue has been part of the neighborhood for years. But when the need for repairs became obvious, neighborhood resident Weinstein took up the work in his nearby home.
A few days ago, he delivered a scrubbed up, restored Lady Liberty — equipped with a 21st century solar powered torch– ready for decades of pleasure and patriotism. Patrons of the cafe were elated.
"Whoever took it must have planned this out. It was no simple prank because she was bolted into five foot wooden anchors, and wouldn't have fit into an ordinary size car or van", said Ms. Ryan as she surveyed the damage. Resident Tom Martinez said, "this is such a window into our little neighborhood. Everyone loved it". Now Martinez, who is a minister at a local church, says he and others are planning to flood the neighborhood with pictures of the missing statue. "looking for lady Liberty in Ditmas Park. Last seen at the Vox Pop Cafe". The Cafe's sign looks over the empty spot and promises "Books, coffee, democracy".
Picture: NYPD Officer Baez takes the report of the stolen statue from Vox Pop manager, Debi Ryan. Photo: Tom Martinez
What the holy fuck is a “for profit neighborhood collective?” There’s already a word for that- it’s called a BUSINESS. You might as well call Starbucks a “for profit global collective.”
Good Morning,
News 12 is doing a story this morning with Debi Ryan about the statue theft. We were looking to see if we can possibly use this photo that you have on your website? We would definielty courtesy you of course.
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