About 15 business owners in Willets Point?yes, the very same old-timers getting evicted, and even paid to move, due to the $3 billion redevelopment headed for the area?plan to start a hunger strike Friday to protest the megaproject. Facing imminent displacement by 2,500 residential units, a giant mall, and a parking lot, most of the protesters run auto body or car repair shops, and they're taking drastic measures so that they can be relocated all together. According to a spokesperson: "There is no way we can survive with the offer we have from the city... As a large group offering various repair services, we can help each other to survive." [Queens Gazette; previously]
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