01.06.2013 Views

Image of the Day

Image of the Day

Image of the Day

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

essential services to those whom <strong>the</strong> city and federal government, and<br />

support agencies, have under-served, neglected, or abandoned.<br />

We call on <strong>the</strong> city, service organizations and police to support <strong>the</strong>se<br />

crucial hubs by maintain location and services to community, <strong>of</strong>fering<br />

tents, generators, and storage pods for supplies or finding free, nearby, and<br />

feasible medium to long term spaces where hubs can operate.<br />

This Friday morning Staten Island police representing <strong>the</strong> mayor’s<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice have threatened eviction action against <strong>the</strong> crucial Staten Island hub<br />

at 489 Midland Avenue, in <strong>the</strong> heavily hit Midland Beach area. Aiman<br />

Youssef, a 42-year-old Syrian-American Staten Islander whose house was<br />

destroyed in <strong>the</strong> hurricane, has been running a 24/7 community pop up<br />

hub outside his property at 489 Midland Avenue since <strong>the</strong> day after <strong>the</strong><br />

storm. He and a coalition <strong>of</strong> neighbors, friends and community members<br />

are serving hot food and <strong>of</strong>fering cleaning supplies, non-perishables,<br />

medical supplies, and clothing to <strong>the</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> residents who are still<br />

without heat, power, or safe housing. This popular hub is well-run, wellstaffed,<br />

and has a constant hum <strong>of</strong> discussion, support, and advice as well<br />

as donations and pick ups and volunteer dispatch through ano<strong>the</strong>r pop-up<br />

group, volunteers who call <strong>the</strong>mselves “The Yellow Team.”<br />

At <strong>the</strong> standing-room only Town Hall meeting at Staten Island’s New<br />

Dorp High School last night, Youssef was <strong>the</strong> first to raise his voice in <strong>the</strong><br />

question and answer period. The community’s expression <strong>of</strong> extreme need<br />

and frustration with <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial support made for a contentious<br />

environment where city government <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong>fered few solutions. At one<br />

point borough president James Molinaro asked <strong>the</strong> audience “You wanna<br />

shut your mouth?” due to <strong>the</strong>ir increasingly loud demands for community<br />

support and housing solutions.<br />

We ask all New Yorkers and Sandy supporters worldwide to not heed<br />

Molinaro’s demand, but to speak out as Youssef did. Ask <strong>the</strong> mayor’s<br />

<strong>of</strong>fice to support, not evict, <strong>the</strong> well-run community support hubs giving<br />

crucial services to New Yorkers in need.<br />

Chicagoans to Erect Tent City Against "Fiscal Cliff" Austerity<br />

Negotiations #durbinville

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!