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"OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD"
On October 18th, 2019, residents from the Fulton Houses joined forces with residents a part of the Holmes Isaacs Coalition to protest the NYCHA 2.0 Program. Organizers from the Justice Center en el Barrio were there as well. They met up in the Upper East Side and marched all the way to Gracie Mansion, De Blasio’s current home, speaking with various news outlets in hopes of getting the city's attention.
Leandra Manon
"HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT"
Leandra Manon
It was around 5pm and more than 80 protesters had gathered at the Holmes Towers at 92nd Street and 1st Avenue. Picket signs that said “Keep Public Housing Public!” and “Stop NYCHA From Pushing Out The Poor” showed the issues tenants and supporters were rallying for. According to Amsterdam News, organizers say NYCHA is seeking “partial privatization measures” which include infill, public housing conversion to Section 8 under private management (also known as RAD or Rental Assistance Demonstration), sale of air rights, and leasing of NYCHA land.
Residents & Supporters
Leandra Manon
After 20 minutes, more residents and allies gathered to support the rally against NYCHA 2.0 and soon began the march to Gracie Mansion. Chants such as “fight, fight, fight, housing is a human right” and “the people united will never be defeated” rang high through the bustling streets of New York City as onlookers turned their heads to see what all the fuss was about. As the march came to a close, we arrived at East 88th street, across the street from Mayor Bill De Blasio’s home. Various news outlets were waiting, eager to speak with those who dared speak out against the system.
Residents & Supporters
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Leandra Manon
La Keesha Taylor, founder of the Holmes Isaacs Coalition, stands confidently in front of 6 different camera crews and reporters, eager to lead the conversation. “We formed this coalition because we were fed up with the conditions with NYCHA and… why they could not fix anything and the demolition that is going on in the Fulton Houses.”
Co-founder of the Isaacs Holmes Coalition, Saundrea Coleman, chimes in stating “Residents from NYCHA, non residents and an alliance of organizations are present here in solidarity. This is a historic day in the city of New York. The city of New York has collected the monthly rent for decades of NYCHA tenants and allowed the campuses to slowly deteriorate.” She continues, “Some tenants are living with un-repaired leaks, mold, no heat, no hot water, no gas, broken unsafe elevators and our children - our future - have been diagnosed with lead poisoning. That is just a few of the horrendous issues inside of NYCHA developments - there is more.”
Residents & Supporters
Leandra Manon
The crowd of residents and supporters roared with cheers and applause as points were made and the administration was called out. Stan Morse, organizer for Justice For All Coalition, made a point to call out those who he felt haven’t lived up to their claims. “What is Jumaane Williams saying? What is the city council saying? Where are they at? Why are they not out here today marching with all of us? They come out when it's time to kiss babies and vote, but when it’s time to really fight, they’re nowhere to be seen.” Jumaanee Willams is an American politician who has served on New York City Public Advocate since 2019 and was previously on the city council. In his campaign for public advocate, he promised to help fight for better, healthier and safer public housing. Morse continues, mentioning how the privatization plan for NYCHA has been in the works ever since he was a child. “They were talking about this privatization since I was a kid and it's going all the way back 40 years. Now they’re planning to the point where they’re trying to ram it down our throats. We’re not gonna have this.”
Residents & Supporters
Leandra Manon
Claudia Perez, organizer with Occupy NYCHA, stresses the idea that working class NYC residents need to take the opportunities to vote in order for some substantial change to take effect. “All of us need to wake up and realize, we all need to register to vote, we need to get these people out of office because we keep bumping our heads and asking Mayor De Blasio, we ask city council, we ask many people to come out and help us. This is about us helping us… We are here and now to say that enough is enough and we are organizing!”
The rally ended with copious amounts of applause and cheers. Residents and allies hugged one another, pictures capturing a monumental moment as reporters gathered to get last words from organizers and residents. De Blasio and his administration were not there to hear and see those protesting, but the message was clear, “keep public housing public.”
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