CONEY ISLAND — Beginning at sunrise on Saturday, April 5, “The Keepers” displayed an environmental performance at the Coney Island beach protesting the plans of developing company Thor Equities.
“The Keepers” occupied the beach near W 12th Street from sunrise to 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Created by Ed Woodham, “The Keepers” is an interventional art form created to defend New York City sites from gentrification and rapid development.
As Thor Equities plans the construction of a casino, hotel and convention center, Woodham is partnering with Coney Island USA and Coney Islanders Against the Casino to preserve Coney Island’s history and culture and defend it from the gentrification caused by major developers.
With the plans of Thor Equities, some believe Coney Island staples like the Coney Island Sideshow, the Coney Island Museum and the Mermaid Parade will be put at risk. “The Keepers” arrive in such situations when life is “out of balance” with nature, according to the Coney Island USA website.
“The Keepers” began at the Coney Island beach near W 12th Street but moved to different Coney Island locations throughout the day.
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