NWBCCC Organizers' Communique on the Armory Struggle

ARMORY VICTORY: STOPPING BAD DEVELOPMENT, SETTING FORTH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
by Organizers Abby Bellows and Ava Farkas
On Dec. 14, 2009 the City Council voted to disapprove Related's plan for the Armory 45 to 1. Never before has the council voted down a development project sponsored by the Bloomberg administration. This decision has the potential to change the way development is done in NYC and make sure the Bronx is treated with the value it deserves in the future.

Mayor Bloomberg killed this project by refusing to negotiate in good faith with the Bronx City Council members pushing our case. We hear that over the weekend he pulled any plan for living wage off the table. Nothing else was ever offered to the Bronx in negotiations -- no community space, no recreation facilities, and no union neutrality. We knew the proposed development would cause 10,000 new cars to enter our community in an area ridden with asthma and force local businesses to close, with hundreds losing their jobs. This was a bad plan for the Bronx and our elected officials showed tremendous courage and backbone today by drawing a line in the sand and demanding respect for the people of the Bronx.

We should all feel extremely proud of our contributions to this campaign. This is an example of how ORGANIZING WORKS and the tremendous organizing activities of the clergy and community over the past 13 years were essential.

But our work is not over. This is only a partial victory because we still must win what we set out to accomplish: a high road, responsible development in the Armory and schools on 195th St. And we must win dignity for all low-wage workers by passing some living wage legislation.

There is lots of press links on yesterday's news at:
http://ourarmory.org/articles/list.php?id=29

We also need to remain vigilant this week that the Mayor does not try to veto the city council's decision. We can help to do that by taking the offensive in the media. We should expect that there will also be backlash from the building trades in the press. If you can be a press spokesperson, please let me know.

We will keep you posted about next KARA meeting & our victory party!

BLUEPRINT FOR THE BRONX: Breaking Ground, Building Together!!

Bronx Residents Call the Community to Action to Demand a Voice in Responsible Development at the Kingsbridge Armory and Address Increasing Poverty, Overcrowded Schools, and Loss of Affordable Housing, Healthcare and Immigrant Rights

(Bronx, NY) –The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) will convene more than 1000 residents, from faith based congregations, community groups, schools, and tenant associations to address the challenge of creating living wage jobs, schools, affordable housing, and social policies that benefit working families. Bronx elected officials will hear the concerns and present their plans to the community. Bronx residents want to begin to layout a blueprint for building a Bronx that is a powerful, vibrant, diverse community where everyone has the opportunity to participate in decision making, contribute to building the future and benefit from the growth and development of this great borough. Some of our specific demands include a community benefits agreement and good living wage jobs at the Kingsbridge Armory, four small schools to be built on the North Side of the Armory and affordable health care for all.

What: Blueprint for the Bronx- Community Action to Win Change for the Northwest Bronx

When: Sunday Oct. 25, 2009- 3pm

Who: Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Invited Elected Officials: Congressman Jose Serrano, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.; City Council Members G. Oliver Koppell, Joel Rivera, Maria Baez, Helen Diane Foster, and James Vacca; State Assembly Members Jose Rivera, Naomi Rivera, Nelson Castro, and Jeff Dinowitz; State Senators Pedro Espada and Jeff Klein. Additional elected officials and their staff representatives are expected to attend.

Where: St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church
2345 University Avenue at Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10468 (entrance at Andrews Avenue)

Why: “To demand that the people have a say in community development, that a people’s blueprint for the Bronx is respected.” Ronn Jordan, Vice President, NWBCCC

Visuals: Hundreds of residents waving flags for the “Blueprint”, multimedia animated map of Bronx issues, Anti Bank band and Mary Mitchell African Dancers