August 31, 2021
Hundreds of housing activists marched through the streets of midtown today and rallied near the Manhattan office of Governor Kathy Hochul, demanding that the state eviction moratorium be extended for another year. A recent Supreme Court decision struck down the CDC issued Federal eviction moratorium leaving tenants vulnerable to losing their residence.
The protesters gathered at first on W38th Street in front of the City Marshal‘s office. Chanting, “What do we want? Housing Justice!/When do we want it?/Now!” they headed east toward the Governor’s office on 3rd Avenue near 40th Street. Cars and buses were detoured around the protesters on 3rd.
Reverend Frank Morales addressed the crowd saying, “we’re here to prevent evictions…they’re immoral and unjust. We’re here to demand the Governor and State Legislature get their act together…You are the visible manifestation of hope for all the people at risk of eviction. The struggle is about saving lives!”
The Gazette obtained a copy of a letter to the Governor and State Legislators signed by Morales and about a hundred other religious people. In it they call on them “to immediately call a legislative session to extend and expand a universal eviction ban in NY State through the end of June 2022…”
Update Tuesday night: Governor Hochul has called the Legislature back to extend the eviction moratorium until January 15.