Richardson Stands With Residents Facing Displacement
The tenants live at 285 Schenectady Avenue and 1646 Union Street, and include 52 families facing rent increases of up to 200 percent. Renaissance Realty owns the properties. The long-time tenants of these buildings have been in court over Renaissance Realty’s attempts to double or even triple the rents in the building.
The dispute went into litigation and the New York State Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Renaissance Realty, and have given tenants until September 30th to pay the higher rents or be forced to move. Legal Services, on behalf of the Tenants Association, plans to appeal this decision. Should the appeal fail, up to 200 residents face displacement.
WHO: Tenants of 1646 Union Street and 285 Schenectady Avenue, Assemblymember Diana C. Richardson, City Council Member Jumaane Williams, State Senator Jesse Hamilton, Brooklyn Congregations United, the Crown Heights Tenant Union, and the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board.
WHAT: Prayer Vigil to Save Our Homes
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 2
WHERE: 285 Schenectady Avenue
Mosley Takes Former NYPD Commish To Task
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Assemblyman Walter Mosley, yesterday, blasted former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly for his book sharply criticizing Mayor de Blasio’s approach to policing.
The lawmaker also countered the criticism with a sharp critique of Kelly’s tenure under former Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
“The recently released excerpts from Ray Kelly’s new book sharply criticize Mayor de Blasio for his approach to policing and comes at a crucial time when we must be supporting changes to an already strained community/police relationship. As public officials we cannot take lightly the monumental task of reversing the collateral consequences of mass incarceration that is a direct result of the stop and frisk approach to policing that Commissioner Kelly vigorously pursued. The damage to the lives caught up in an obtuse criminal justice system is deplorable,” said Mosley.
“We must strive to better our criminal justice system and retool police procedures to match the growing concerns of the country, while we ensure that everyone is treated fairly under the eyes of the law,” he added.
Levin Announces Participatory Budgeting Schedule
Northern Brooklyn City Council Member Stephen Levin, yesterday, announced that he will commit $1.5 million of capital funding to projects selected through the 2015-2016 Participatory Budgeting (“PB”) process.
In past PB cycles, Levin set aside $1 million to fund these projects, which are proposed, developed and voted on by community members through a grassroots, inclusive process. In 2014 and 2015, the Council Member chose to allocate additional funds to projects that had strong support from participants but did not quite earn enough votes to be automatically funded.
“It is clear that residents of my district are enthusiastic about Participatory Budgeting and that they have plenty of great ideas to bring to the table,” said Levin. “Committing an additional $500,000 this year will bring more of those ideas into reality and bring more community members into this process.”
Council Member Levin also announced the schedule of Neighborhood Assemblies for the 2015-2016 cycle. Neighborhood Assemblies serve as the foundation of the PB process by bringing communities together to discuss neighborhood needs and brainstorm ideas for capital projects. The assemblies for district 33 will take place beginning in early September:
- Wednesday, September 9th: 6:30 PM, McCarren Play Center, 776 Lorimer Street.
- Monday, September 14: 6:30 PM, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street.
- Thursday, October 8th: 5:00 PM, Independence Community Center, 114 Taylor Street.
Human Rights Law Training
The New York City Commission of Human Rights is currently offering a training that provides a general overview of the Human Rights Law. In the coming months, the agency will be developing trainings on specific issue areas, which will be posted on our website.
Employers, business owners, housing providers and all who have an interest in learning more about their rights and responsibilities under NYC Human Rights law are welcome to attend.
The Commission is hosting a training sessions at its Brooklyn Community Service Center. The September training will take place at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3. at 275 Livingston Street, 2nd floor (Entrance is at 25 Hanover Place). Each training session runs approximately one hour.
For additional information and to register for the training please refer to our website www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/html/services/trainings.shtml or email TRAININGS@CCHR.NYC.GOV and in the body of your e-mail please indicate which session you are interested in attending.
Williams’ Congrats To Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day
Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane Williams prepared for Brooklyn’s 48th Annual West Indian American Day Carnival with a congratulations to his brothers and sisters from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of their 53rd Independence Day.
“As an elected official representing one of the most vibrant Caribbean communities in New York City, I look forward to returning to the Eastern Parkway to mark this holiday and to put our Caribbean heritage on display for the entire world. The West Indian American Day Carnival Association sponsors many great events associated with this celebration, all happening in and around the Brooklyn Museum. Click here for the official event calendar,” said Williams.
Cumbo Doesn’t Forget Abducted Girls
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, issued the following statement after standing in solidarity with the Bring Back Our Girls – New York City Coalition last Thursday to call for the safe return of 219 Chibok schoolgirls who remain in captivity 500 days after their abduction by Boko Haram militants.
“For millions of girls and women around the globe, the pursuit of an education is an opportunity but also a risk. Today, we remember the Chibok girls who courageously walked into their classrooms with a determination to overcome societal barriers and realize their full potential,” said Cumbo. “As concerned citizens and leaders, we raise our voices to call on the global community to take immediate action and bring back our girls. We cannot rest until they are freed, restored, and reunited with the families.”
