Former US Secretary Of State And NY Senator Hillary Clinton Visited Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Today To Support Opening Of Eyes On Iran, Woman Life Freedom Art Exhibit

This morning, former United States Secretary Of State and NY Senator Hillary Clinton visited Roosevelt Island's

FDR Four Freedoms Park, across the East River from the United Nations,

to support the opening of

 Eyes On Iran, Woman Life Freedom art exhibition.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FDR Four Freedoms State Park (@4freedomspark)

Here's video what Ms Clinton had to say

 as well as the full program of speakers.

According to a November 28 press release from Vital Voices and For Freedoms:

Iranian artists Sheida Soleimani, Aphrodite Désirée Navab, Z, Icy and Sot, Shirin Neshat, Mahvash Mostala, Sepideh Mehraban, and Shirin Towfiq, alongside artists Hank Willis Thomas and JR, activate New York’s FDR Four Freedoms State Park with a provocative multi-day and multi-media art installation facing the United Nations entitled Eyes on Iran. 

Timed for the U.N. Women’s initiative, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the arresting site-specific installations are focused on the power of collective sight, with eyes facing the UN and signifying the world’s eyes on Iran. The large-scale artworks will be unveiled on November 28th. ‘Eyes in the Sky’ flying billboards featuring artworks by Hank Willis Thomas and Mahvash will fly on 12/3 in NYC and in Miami on 11/28 and 11/30. In addition, an interactive installation by artist JR will take place on December 4th at FDR Four Freedoms State Park. Eyes on Iran aims to amplify the mission of Woman, Life, Freedom, a campaign demanding that the Islamic Republic of Iran is removed from the Commission on the Status of Women... 

‘’We are calling on the world to take more action, starting at the United Nations. We must remove Iran from the U.N.’s Commission on the Status of Women. The fact that Iran is a member is a bitter irony,” says Clinton. “What we are seeing is a revolution led by young women who are just not willing to live with the loss of freedom being imposed upon them.” November 28th, which marks the activation at FDR Four Freedoms State Park, is also the anniversary of the 1943 Tehran Conference where Allied leaders, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin met in Tehran to coordinate the Allied military strategy and also significantly stated a shared desire for the maintenance of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Iran. Today, Woman, Life, Freedom shares a similar call for human rights for the women and people of Iran...

 “The world’s eyes have been focused on the courage of Iranian citizens in their quest for freedom, in the face of increasingly grave danger,” states human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam Mackay. “The Islamic Republic has censored them and attempted to blind the world to the potential of this movement. Eyes on Iran is our response to their call for a free Iran. The world must keep our eyes on the brave citizens of Iran and open to the possibility of justice. We must keep our eyes on the UN in our call to remove the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women in the face of their brutal repression.”

This activation is a partnership between artist collective For Freedoms, a coalition of Iranian women leaders and Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit elevating women leaders. As we go into the third month of worldwide protests launched and led by Iranian women and girls after the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini, more than 300 protesters have reportedly died and nearly 15,000 have been jailed, while reports of extreme punishments and harsh crackdowns against protestors by Iranian authorities have flooded international headlines.

“When we say that we must keep our “Eyes on Iran,” we mean that what is happening deserves not only our attention but our vision. In solidarity with the courageous Iranians who are risking their lives to express their human rights, many artists throughout the diaspora and beyond are bringing our vision to bear to ensure international audiences and institutions remain aware of what is happening in Iran, in their eyes and in their hearts, and feel moved to respond.” - Shirin Neshat...

... This effort strives to combine the power of public advocacy and public art as a means of movement building:

Participating artists Icy and Sot add that, “No words can describe the violence people in Iran are going through but the love for freedom has defeated fear. Their courage and resistance is outstanding and inspiring the world. Winning is the only option and it's around the corner.”

Members of the public are invited to see the installation online or in person. Additional artists are featured in an online gallery featuring Emily Elise, Mahdis Nikou, Priscillia Kounkou Hoveydam, Ernesto Yerena Hourdad, Golnar Adili, and additional Anonymous Artists.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park reminds us that the human freedoms voiced by President Roosevelt in 1941 remain vital and relevant today. We are proud to host the “Eyes on Iran” public art installation at the park, and help draw attention to the continued struggle for equal rights across the globe.”...

Take a walk to see the Eyes On Iran, Woman Life Freedom exhibit at the Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park.

Recap Of Hillary Clinton's June 13 Roosevelt Island Campaign Launch At FDR Four Freedoms Park - A Grand Success Says FDR Park Conservancy President And Thanks RIOC For Its Assistance

FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy President Sally Minard sent this June 15 message to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato regarding the June 13 Roosevelt Island Hillary Clinton campaign launch.

Dear Charlene,

I want to report that the Hillary for America campaign launch event at Four Freedoms Park on Saturday was a grand success.

Every one played their part. The Conservancy staff, the Hillary for America Campaign, Roosevelt Island management and Public Safety Department, and N.Y.State Parks, all collaborated to prepare for and implement a complex event. You were particularly helpful on a crucial issue and at a critical moment when arrangements had to be made to insure a sufficient emergency evacuation plan for the anticipated number of guests. We are grateful to you and Frances and Susan, Jack and Lynda, Donna and Erica, Arthur and Robert and Fernando, for working with us to make the event happen, safely and correctly.

As you know, security was under the supervision of the State Department Secret Service. The plan they developed coordinated the NYPD, Roosevelt Island Public Safety and N.Y. State Parks officers to provide the security required for a former President and Secretary of State. The crowd proved to be happy, patient and very excited throughout the proceedings. There were no incidents that we were aware of to mar the event.

It was a wonderful day all around. The responsibility to make it work for the Campaign, the candidate, for Roosevelt Island and for the Park was heavy, when so many things both within our control and out of it, can go awry. But even the dark clouds that threatened before the program started, changed course and moved somewhere else for the rest of the day. Our good fortune with the weather gods continues. I hope some of you saw the event on C-SPAN or subsequent news coverage. It was a remarkable sight.

Secretary Clinton called about 4:00 Saturday afternoon, before flying to Iowa, to express her gratitude for the hard work of all those involved who made this launch so successful for the campaign. She referenced the profound associations and extraordinary beauty of the place. She said the entire day surpassed her expectation. It was generous of her to call and share her appreciation on an historic day for Roosevelt Island and for FDR Four Freedoms State Park.

When the Cornell ground breaking ceremony is over tomorrow, there will be a welcome break in the stream of major events at the Park. Please feel free to call anytime if you have comments or suggestions.

All the best,

Sally

Sally Minard

President & CEO

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

Here are some scenes from the June 13 Hillary Clinton Roosevelt Island campaign event.

View from above: Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign kickoff on Roosevelt Island. @dougmillsnyt pic.twitter.com/PYheKfcvJt

— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) June 13, 2015

Clinton's campaign set aside this area for overflow w jumbotron. Here it is 20 min to speech: pic.twitter.com/MUUhZJFiD0

— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) June 13, 2015

Hillary Clinton

 Image Of Hillary Clinton at Roosevelt Island Campaign Event From Olya Turcihin

 gave a shout out to Roosevelt Island in her speech

My sis took a great video. Here is Hillary Clinton shouting out Roosevelt Island 🚠 https://t.co/8oZrePBpSx

— Adrian Carrasquillo (@Carrasquillo) June 13, 2015

and made one Roosevelt Island young girl very happy.

@HillaryClinton Here's a message from my daughter Charlotte - she's 6 yo and we live on Roosevelt Island pic.twitter.com/7NFFcPKYvj

— Desiree Charles (@sparklydes) June 12, 2015

Best moment ever! Charlotte gets her wish to meet Hillary (and me too)! @HillaryClinton @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/Z4yxp9eHIC

— Desiree Charles (@sparklydes) June 13, 2015

Image Of Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton From Olya Turcihin

Ms. Clinton's full Roosevelt Island speech is here.

Roosevelt Island Is Living Embodiment Of Issues Hillary Clinton Wants To Champion Says Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy In Politico Article

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy penned an excellent article for Politico. According to Ms. Berdy:

... Roosevelt Island is a community of 14,000 located in the East River between Manhattan and Queens. It’s widely associated in popular memory with its namesake, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and his (increasingly distant) dream of a thriving American middle class—themes of an era, no doubt, that the Clinton campaign wishes to project in the popular mind.

Team Clinton deserves credit for the choice. They’ve handpicked a location that is far more than a mnemonic reference to the 1930’s president and economic champion that Clinton wants to be associated with. At its heart, Roosevelt Island is an American social experiment with a rich past—a living, historical embodiment of many major issues that Clinton wants to champion. Look closer at Roosevelt Island, and you’ll find a vision of the kind of American history Clinton draws upon—and a hint of the coming campaign that will talk about it....

The rocky history of Roosevelt Island http://t.co/qApWUvjRRo via @POLITICOMag | Getty pic.twitter.com/rxwEB2P3RA

— POLITICO (@politico) June 14, 2015

Click here for full Politico article by Ms. Berdy and here for Ms. Clinton's June 13 Roosevelt Island speech.

Watch Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign Speech Today At Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park

Here's Hillary Clinton's full speech (and transcript) today at Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park.



Will have more later  tonight or tomorrow.

No problems for Roosevelt Island as far as I could tell.

Good job organizing the event by the Clinton Campaign, FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp, NYPD and the Secret Service.

Cheshire Kitty adds:

I attended the event - it was fantastic! Luckily I had a spot under some trees, near the podium. I also was at a fence - so could lean on it (or stand on it even) the whole time - which was also fantastic. Water bottles were given out by volunteers - and some attendees nibbled on sandwiches, cookies, energy bars around me. I had an energy bar myself.

It was well worth the wait - the speech was fantastic!

UPDATE 7/2 - More here.

Hillary Clinton Official Presidential Campaign Launch June 13 At Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park - Good Or Bad Idea?

Guess what is happening tomorrow on Roosevelt Island? It's Roosevelt Island Day, a fun filled day of family activities and events in the middle of Roosevelt Island.

Oh, there's another event taking place tomorrow at the FDR Four Freedoms Park on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. Hillary Clinton is officially launching her Presidential Campaign.

 Image From Hillary For America

The Twitterverse shows preparations are currently under way for the Clinton campaign event.

#Hillary2016 Morgen ihre 1. Wahlkampfrede. Mitten aus #NYC von Roosevelt Island. Perfekt inszeniert.Skyline inklusive pic.twitter.com/8K20TGEV9q

— Isabel Schayani (@isabelschayani) June 12, 2015

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports:

Please be advised that due to the anticipation of a large number of visitors to Roosevelt Island on Saturday June 13, 2015, visitor parking at the Motorgate Garage will be limited to ensure adequate parking for residents and patrons with a monthly permit. Residents without a monthly access card should be prepared to show proof of residency when approaching the 36th Avenue bridge. Visitors who plan to park inside Motorgate will be directed over the bridge and into the garage if there is room. Once the garage reaches capacity, vehicles will be re-directed to park in the vicinity of Vernon Boulevard in order to avoid unnecessary vehicle traffic on Roosevelt Island.

In addition, there will be No Parking on Main Street beginning Saturday, June 13th from 12:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the following locations:

1) 510 Main Street to 543 Main Street
2) The Public Lot at the rear of the R.I. Tennis Bubble
3) 250- 300 Main Street opposite Sportspark

and:

Please be advised that due to increased traffic on Roosevelt Island on Saturday, June 13th, the Tram will operate on a rush hour schedule from 7 AM until 10 PM to accommodate residents and visitors. There may be traffic delays on Main Street as well as delays in Red Bus and Q102 service throughout the day. Please plan your travel accordingly.

The MTA reports Roosevelt Island F Train service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

The Clinton Campaign sent this email yesterday to those who received a ticket for the Roosevelt Island event advising to expect airport style security:

We can't wait to see you on Saturday at the Hillary for America official launch event -- we're so excited that you're going to be a part of this day! Here's some information you'll need ahead of time:

When and Where
- Saturday, June 13th doors open at 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island, NY

What to bring
- Your printed ticket -- the confirmation email you received when you registered for the event, you can also use your phone to show your ticket. Children under the age of 13 do not need a ticket to enter the event.
- Small personal cameras and cell phones will be permitted.
- Guests are encouraged to bring water in standard-sized, clear plastic bottles, as there will be a limited supply at the event.

What not to bring
- There will be airport style security. Items that will NOT BE permitted include food, liquids other than water, large bags, large purses, backpacks, strollers, umbrellas, noise makers, bullhorns, posters, signs, pets other than licensed service animals, sharp objects, or weapons.

What to expect
- Limited cell service on Roosevelt Island.
- The event is standing only -- seating will be provided for ADA guests.
- Food is not permitted in the park, so make sure to have breakfast before you arrive.
- Be prepared for a hot summer day; sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are highly encouraged.

How to get to Four Freedoms Park
The best way to get to the park is by public transportation -- parking on the island will be extremely limited.

- Subway: Take the F Train to the Roosevelt Island stop. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

- Tram: From Manhattan: Get on the tram at 59th Street & Second Avenue Station. Travel time to Roosevelt Island is 4-5 minutes, with trams departing every 10 minutes. Exit at Tramway Station on Roosevelt Island. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

- Bus: From Queensboro Plaza overpass, take stairway down north side to corner of Crescent and Bridge Plaza North. Take the Q102 Queens Surface bus to Roosevelt Island. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

We want to accommodate as many ADA guests as possible, so if you know that you will need assistance on-site, please contact ADAseating@hillaryclinton.com to make necessary arrangements. ADA guests are welcome to bring one guest with them into the ADA section.

This is going to be a great event and we're thrilled to have you -- one of our best supporters -- there as we launch into the next phase of this campaign.

Thanks,

Hillary for America

Fox News reports that Roosevelt Island:

... named after former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was chosen for the event because the Democratic frontrunner's career has been inspired by Roosevelt’s belief that “America is stronger when we summon the work and talents of all Americans," according to a campaign official. And Clinton has long considered former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt a role model, the campaign said.

But critics have raised a list of concerns including that the island is notoriously difficult to reach.

"I can't think of an area in the five boroughs of New York City that's harder to get to," Flip Pidot, Republican strategist and CEO of American Civics Exchange, told FoxNews.com's "Strategy Room."...

The Twitterverse responds to the notion of Roosevelt Island's inaccessibility.

I can literally think of thousands of NYC places harder to get to than Roosevelt Island http://t.co/UqSBCwXJi8 pic.twitter.com/aQMP9ecrOc

— Colin Campbell (@BKcolin) June 12, 2015

@Taniel This is not absurd. There is one subway stop. One bridge. One tram. Period.

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) June 12, 2015

@Taniel @jpodhoretz It is harder to get to 11th or 12th avenue walking from our office in flatiron than it is to get to Roosevelt Island.

— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) June 12, 2015

Roosevelt Island is 5 mins from midtown Manhattan by subway. Incredibly accessible. Clinton did reporters a solid. The griping is nuts.

— Daily Kos Elections (@DKElections) June 12, 2015

The FDR Four Freedoms Park tells us what to expect and has some rules.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Communications Chair Janet Falk contacted responded to inquiries from various media outlets about the Roosevelt Island Clinton campaign event. Ms. Falk shares her message to the media:

In view of the impending arrival of Hillary Rodham Clinton to launch her campaign as candidate for President of the United States in Four Freedoms Park on Saturday, as well as the expected presence of fellow Democratic Party leaders and thousands of supporters, Roosevelt Island has garnered quite a bit of media attention.

A number of news organizations have reached out to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association to learn more about our community, the impact of the rally on the plans for Roosevelt Island Day, and the views of individuals about the overlapping events.

RIRA has distributed the following statement to the media:
Thanks for your note requesting information from the Roosevelt Island Residents Association about Roosevelt Island Day and the Clinton event on Saturday, June 13, 2015.

As Chair of the Communications Committee of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, I refer you to the comments of RIRA President Jeffrey Escobar, as posted here (scroll down to the update at 8:20 pm).

The annual Roosevelt Island Day will proceed as planned. The activities include residents who volunteer to plant flowers and plants in the planters that beautify Main Street; a petting zoo and rides for children; demonstrations of hands-only CPR; Island organizations sharing news of their programs and recruiting members; a blood drive; portrait sketching sessions led by artists of the local gallery; and food for purchase. These activities will be held in and adjacent to Good Shepherd Plaza, located in the heart of the Island on Main Street. Most attendees will be Island residents (14,000 people live here), who will walk to the event from their nearby apartments to see their friends and neighbors and have fun.

The Clinton event will be held in Four Freedoms Park, at the southern tip of the island. It is at least one mile south of Good Shepherd Plaza. Most attendees will arrive by subway and tram and then walk at least half a mile south to arrive at the entrance to Southpoint Park, and then another quarter mile to the rally site. At the end of the rally, these visitors are welcome to attend the Roosevelt Island Day activities. It is anticipated that many participants at the rally will retrace their steps and take transportation back, and few will likely walk the additional quarter mile north of the subway and tram to enjoy the warmth and friendship of the small-town community atmosphere of Roosevelt Island Day...

... Representatives of RIRA (Jeffrey Escobar, President; Sherie Helstien, Vice President; Janet Falk, Communications Chair) have spoken and/or corresponded with reporters at:

The New York Daily News

The New York Post

The New York Times

FOX News

WFUV radio

NYU

among others.

Whether the above information is incorporated into the news articles remains to be seen.

Here's what the NY Times had to say.

First Draft: Roosevelt Island to Shine Under the Hillary Clinton Spotlight http://t.co/ecLCVbXiIq

— NYT National News (@NYTNational) June 12, 2015

Tomorrow will be a very busy day on Roosevelt Island.

UPDATE 5:30 PM - More from the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse on Hillary Clinton Roosevelt Island campaign event.

@HillaryClinton Here's a message from my daughter Charlotte - she's 6 yo and we live on Roosevelt Island pic.twitter.com/7NFFcPKYvj

— Desiree Charles (@sparklydes) June 12, 2015

#RooseveltIsland preparing to welcome @HillaryClinton to her campaign kickoff tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/0p6q67BItV

— Mikel Reparaz (@reparazz) June 12, 2015

And this is

Video from @AmericaRising goes after @HillaryClinton's venue choice for rally feat. people from... Roosevelt Island http://t.co/uuBN4bukjF

— NYDN Daily Politics (@DNDailyPolitics) June 12, 2015

hilarious.

UPDATE 8 PM - Here's the set up at FDR Four Freedoms Park tonight before Hillary Clinton's speech tomorrow. You can see the stage and podium facing north, press area, seating and Ms. Clinton's walkway to stage as well as the crowd overflow space with video screen at bottom of granite stairs.

TIME : A small New York City island gets ready for Hillary Clinton http://t.co/kA37AFnzLP (http://t.co/E9a9MZkZK… …

— Herman Cranston (@hermancranston) June 13, 2015

@spugh417 Hillary house party or Roosevelt Island? This video. 👌#Madampresident #Hillary2016 https://t.co/o0NXEpbqRn

— Ciara Ahern (@Ciara_Ahern) June 13, 2015

UPDATE 6/13 - Watch video of Hillary Clinton's speech today.

Roosevelt Island Day June 13 - Family Fun Day For Flower Planting, Petting Zoo, Blood Drive, Concert, Pony Ride & Games - Also, June 13 Hillary Clinton Launches Presidential Campaign At Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park

Roosevelt Island is going to be a very busy place this Saturday, June 13.

The annual family friendly Roosevelt Island Day will take place from 9 AM - 3 PM.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

This SATURDAY June 13, 2015, come out and continue the tradition of celebrating Roosevelt Island in fine fashion! Starting at 9 AM the Good Shepherd Plaza will be full of volunteers, activities, entertainment, games and so much more!

Schedule of activities:

9 AM Bagels and Coffee- hosted by RIRA

9 AM - 12PM Flower Planting- hosted by A Living Library

10 AM - 12 PM Petting Zoo sponsored by Island Kids

10 AM - 3 PM Blood Drive- hosted by RIRA

10 AM - 3 PM Creative Explorations at Blackwell Park- hosted by RI Explorers

11 AM - 12 PM Main Street Theatre- Performance

12 PM Concert “Dave Brown and the Versatiles”

12 PM - 3 PM Kids Activities (Games, rides & more!)

1:30 PM - 3 PM NY Life- Masonic ID Screening

Don’t miss out on a day full of excitement and fun!

This free event is sponsored by Urban American, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

Also, as previously reported, former NY Senator, United States Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton will officially launch her 2016 Presidential Campaign

Image From Hillary For America

from Roosevelt Island's  FDR Four Freedoms Park

Image of FDR Park Preparations Today For June 13 Hillary Clinton Event

on June 13 as well, from 9 AM - 2 PM.

Clinton campaign officials tell me they do not anticipate their event, taking place at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, interfering with Roosevelt Island Day taking place in the middle of Roosevelt Island. They are expecting crowds of several thousand people.

As of today, campaign officials say there are no plans for Ms. Clinton to attend Roosevelt Island Day or visit any area other than the FDR Four Freedoms Park.

WOW - HILLARY CLINTON TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN JUNE 13 ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND AT FDR FOUR FREEDOMS PARK

Breaking: Start spreading the news—#Hillary2016 kicks off here. And you could be there → http://t.co/eztnltNOnc pic.twitter.com/3bYkh2kB39

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2015

According to USA Today On Politics:

Hillary Clinton will officially launch her presidential campaign with a June 13 speech at Roosevelt Island in New York City.

“Her speech will lay out her view of the challenges facing this country and her vision and ideas for moving the country forward,” according to Clinton’s campaign.

It will be hard to escape the symbolism: The island is named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a political giant whose New Deal programs launched a revolution in the reach and power of the federal government. FDR’s wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, was also one of history’s most influential first ladies....

Ms. Clinton's Roosevelt Island campaign launch will take place at the FDR Four Freedoms Park.

The event is open to the public and members of the public can register for tickets at www.hillaryclinton.com/your-ticket.

UPDATE 5:30 PM - According to Ms. Clinton's campaign web site:

Hillary’s official campaign launch will be happening Saturday, June 13th in New York City, and we want you to be there! At the first official rally of this campaign, she will lay out her vision for the country, inspired by the stories she’s heard from everyday Americans.

The event will take place in Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island, and everyone is invited, so RSVP today. The event is open to the public, but it is recommended that guests register for a ticket for expedited entry and to receive event updates. This is a family friendly event, and children under the age of 13 do not need a ticket.

***All event and appearance times, including Hillary’s speech, are placeholders and will be confirmed in the coming days. Tickets are not required and do not guarantee admission due to space constraints, but every guest is encouraged to RSVP. All entry to the rally will be first-come, first-served. Further details to come, including confirmation of start times as well as arrival instructions and program information.

The last time a Clinton visited Roosevelt Island was for the October 2012 FDR Four Freedoms Park Dedication. That was Bill Clinton. Next June 13, Roosevelt Island welcomes Hillary Clinton.

The Washington Post's The Fix notes:

There is only one heavily inhabited island in New York City harder to get to than Roosevelt Island, where Hillary Clinton will hold her campaign kickoff later this month. That island is Rikers Island....

... I am not the type to find metaphors in things, as I said. I am just reporting that the Hillary Clinton campaign is launching from one of the least accessible parts of New York City....

That's not correct. Staten Island must be harder to get to than Roosevelt Island. Still, with the F Train not running in one direction or the other many weekends, the crowded Tram Cabins and Roosevelt Island's single vehicle access road, Main Street, Roosevelt Island is not the easiest place to travel to.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato:

Any comment on how RIOC is going to handle the logistics of so many people wanting to attend the Clinton announcement?

Will post her response when received.

UPDATE 6/2 - Some Roosevelt Island residents have concerns about Ms. Clinton's visit to the FDR Four Freedoms Park.

'Tone-deaf' Clinton campaign causes headaches for Roosevelt Island residents http://t.co/XgrymX9146

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 2, 2015

Kids event cancelled, residents kept in the dark ahead of Hillary's Roosevelt Island campaign launch http://t.co/ueEbOnHSj1 via @GeoffEarle

— Connor Ryan (@connortryan) June 2, 2015

According to the NY Post: Ms. Clinton's June 13 visit puts:

... at risk of major inconvenience: an annual celebration called Roosevelt Island Day, which features a blood drive, hot dog stands and free rides for kids.

“It’s going to be horrendous logistically,” said Sherie Helstien, vice president of the island’s community association, who noted that her community has just one main road.

“I think the campaign should have reached out to the community representatives of 14,000 people — absolutely,” fumed Matthew Katz, former president of the association, and husband of Helstien....

Click here for full NY Post article.

Also, Politico describes the FDR Four Freedoms Park as solemn:

The solemn memorial park at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, Four Freedoms Park,...

Katrina vanden Heuvel (daughter of FDR Park advocate Ambassador William vanden Heuvel) disagrees

Hillary sets venue for 1st big rally: #fourfreedomspark is joyous place--not somber as described here/ http://t.co/krlux28sob via @POLITICO

— Katrina vandenHeuvel (@KatrinaNation) June 2, 2015

More Twitter reactions:

Also, as someone who has lived on Roosevelt Island, may I say, 1) good launch choice, Hillary, and 2) yes, totally haunted.

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 1, 2015

Washington Post Idiot Can't Figure Out How to Get to Roosevelt Island http://t.co/D9LWvbzomu

— Rod Townsend (@rodtownsend) June 2, 2015

UPDATE 8:20 PM - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Jeff Escobar adds:

The unfortunate quotes and comments of RIRA Vice-President Sherie Helstein and Former RIRA President Matt Katz set forth in the New York Post Article of earlier today were not that of RIRA, and were made wholly on their individual volition and not representative of RIRA.

Yesterday, as the current RIRA President, we reached out directly to the Campaign and Clinton Staffers to voice our excitement in joining our colleagues of the Four Freedoms Conservancy in welcoming Secretary Clinton to Roosevelt Island for her formal announcement on June 13th of her campaign for President. In our opinion, there is no other iconic location for such an announcement other than at Four Freedoms Park, and the Island will be out in full support of her candidacy.

We also warmly invited the Campaign to join the Island's 18th Annual Roosevelt Island Day celebration taking place in the heart of the Island later that day, where each Island resident is asked to devote a day of service to beautify the Island, clean-up and attend to Island elements that need attention and to, generally, come together as a community to make our little home floating on the East River a more clean and beautiful place to live, work and play (as well as an afternoon of family fun, games and more after the elbow grease). The coming of the Campaign to the South of the Island will be a great opportunity to introduce both Secretary Clinton and those visiting the heart of the Island to our great community, and those family, friends and neighbors who comprise it.

The Common Council and RIRA are excited that the campaign will literally be bringing the campaign to our doorstep, and we look forward to sharing the excitement of Roosevelt Island Day with the national launch of the Hillary Clinton Campaign and those who will be visiting our Island on that day.

UPDATE 10 PM - Not An Excited Islander writes:

Just read Jeff Escobar's statement on the blog.

The RIRA president is indeed confused when he states that the whole Island is excited or delighted or whatever. Too much Kool-Aid to be sure. I am anything but excited.

Perhaps the Clinton Family Foundation would like to make a donation to the many wonderful organizations working w. children & families on the Island ?

And frankly, what did / does RIOC know, and when did they know it?

It would seem that the only folks w. advance notice are the FDR / Four Freedoms folks -- who are already in Hillary's camp. Are they or HC's folks working w. RIOC / PSD / NYPD / Secret Service ? Can they make the F train run in both directions that day. And, oh ! What a media circus can we expect ? By car ? By Tram ? By boat ? And even by air ? Can hardly wait !!

and from the NY Daily News:

... Matthew Katz, former head of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, called Team Clinton “tone deaf” for bigfooting the community’s special day. Plus, “We’d like her to come to my side of the island, where the people are. Nobody lives in a park,” Katz said.

Association Vice President Sherie Helstien, who’s Katz’s wife, told the Daily News that months of planning for the local celebration won’t be dumped to accommodate a potential influx of Clinton fans. “It’s their problem to get around us,” she said. “We are the community.”...

Full NY Daily News article here.

UPDATE 6/3 - NY Post story about Hillary Clinton's campaign launch on Roosevelt Island made the Drudge Report this morning.

Not the type of publicity Ms. Clinton was hoping for on Roosevelt Island.

UPDATE 6/5 - Will there be disruptions to Roosevelt Island F Train Service during Hillary Clinton's June 13 visit? Roosevelt Island resident Janet Falk asks:

Let's see if Hillary Rodham Clinton can make the MTA run the F train in both directions.

As of today, the MTA advises that there will be Roosevelt Island F train service in both directions on June 13.

Image From MTA

Celeste Katz tweets:

To folo up on http://t.co/GPJlt7npjP , @mta insider told me today NO service changes planned for @hillaryclinton launch on Roosevelt Island.

— Celeste Katz (@CelesteKatzNYC) June 3, 2015

Additionally, @MTA source said @HillaryClinton campaign "has not reached out" to the agency regarding the June 13 event on Roosevelt Island.

— Celeste Katz (@CelesteKatzNYC) June 3, 2015

We shall see.

UPDATE 6/10 - More here.