14 defiance // document
waterproof
elisabeth burhenne elisabeth burhenne
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On October 29 , 2012 , the ocean turned on Red Hook , a waterfront destination in Brooklyn . The Hurricane swept in upon Red Hook ’ s 11,000 residents , destroying their businesses , homes , and property . Red Hook is home to the largest public housing project in Brooklyn , which houses 5,000 people , many of whom were without food or electricity for the week following Sandy .
This is not the first event to rattle Red Hook . In 1776 , The Battle of Brooklyn took place , and Fort Defiance was built on Coffey and Conover St . for the first battle of the American Revolution . Another famous violent even occurred in 1917 , when Al Capone got his famous “ Scarface ” during a drunken brawl outside of a bar in Red Hook .
“ In the end , it is our defiance that redeems us .
- Mark Rowlands
Hurricane Sandy turned out to be more than just another event in Red Hook ’ s violent history . Water is essential to Red Hook , it is what makes it unique . Red Hook ’ s waterfront is home to the New York Water Taxi , the Waterfront Museum , the Fairway , Steve ’ s Key Lime Pie , Red Hook Winery , and also serves as a docking place for cruise ships . Despite the fact that the Hurricane debilitated many of these businesses for months , the feisty little city