Oh say can YOU see?
By Silver Springer • Jul 4th, 2007 • Category: Government and Politics, Silver Springer
Close to100 gathered at Silver Plaza in pursuit of their First Amendment rights. It was no coincident that the protest took place, today on America’s Independence Day, 4th of July.
News Channel 8, WAMU and Dan from “Just Up the Pike“Â took notes of the protest while picking the brain of Jamie Raskin, state senator representing Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
The controversy began when Chip Py was told by security that he could not take photographs of the Downtown Silver Spring Project. An initial response from developer Fairfax, Va based ,Peterson Cos., justified the act by proclaiming to protect the image of the development.
Peterson made an agreement with the Montgomery County before the Downtown project was built, allowing the main strip, Ellsworth drive, to function like a private road.
Since then the issue has snowballed into the spotlight, gaining attention from local TV, newspapers, radio and online media. Peterson issued a statement that withdrew the previous policy.
Today, protesters gathered on Ellsworth drive in front of the Silver Plaza to not only reinforce the photographer’s freedom but to allow protests and other gatherings on what they feel is a public space because of the strong public/private partnership between Montgomery County, Peterson Cos., Foulger Pratt and Argo Investment.
In what they hope will play out to be a kind gesture, Peterson Cos., displayed a banner promoting a photo contest labeled “Focus On Silver springâ€.
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Alright people you got your point across. Shut up, take your freakin photos, and most importantly shop while your at it so we can get some more stores in the area.
Peterson co has gotten their just deserves in the media but if it wasn’t for them and the MoCo for putting their money into this community it would still be a little $hithole.
I agree with TDiddy (with less colorful language). While some may not like certain aspects of the SS development (i.e. that it is private), the overwhelming good that has come from The Peterson Companies’ efforts is hard to ignore.
While many will talk about “greedy developers”, the fact is that this developer took an enormous risk on Silver Spring at a time that no one else would.