This community Icon has been a real friend to our work trying to save East River Park. He needs our help.
–Pat Arnow, co-founder, East River Park Action
As you may have heard, last week the Board of Directors at the Sixth Street Community Center fired its long-time director Howard Brandstein. The board had the Center’s locks changed in the middle of the night. The next morning, when Howard was able to get into his office, they summoned the police to force him out.
They have acted disgracefully. Howard is honorable, and has been working effectively for 50 years. He’s part of what makes our neighborhood a community. The programs he started, and kept going for so many years, empowered this community and made it better. He should be getting awards, parades, galas; instead, he’s been ignominiously fired and locked out.
This is no way to treat someone who is a visionary, who has worked tirelessly to connect the issues of housing justice, food insecurity, climate and environmental awareness– as well as classism, racism, and sexism– and who confronted these ills by BUILDING SOMETHING.
Howard and East River Park
Howard and I worked together in building opposition to the destruction of East River Park. He brought in so many people and organizations; it was a strong group.
As we organized and planned, we often disagreed. But many times, he was right, damnit, and he was totally dedicated and principled. We harbored no hard feelings, and he remained an advocate for East River Park Action. I consider him a valuable friend and colleague.
Howard Brandstein in 2019 at the Sixth Street Community Center after a group of us made handmade “Save East River Park” sashes there. He helped organize a massive protest in opposition to the destruction of East River Park. He provided space for meetings and brought in wonderful allies.
He testified at hearings, participated in protests, continued supporting our efforts. Howard shows up.
Give his job back!
Many in the community have gotten together to work for Howard’s reinstatement. Please let your voice be heard for this courageous community activist.
Start by signing a petition.
This article in EV Grieve will give you more information about what happened.
Leafleting at the Earth School,Church next door on Sunday or leave flyers, have Rev. Billys Church of Stop Shopping participate in actions, Howard’s Lawyers will have to get on their jobs as they know the extent of what can legally be done without going to jail,what rights do we have as far as the center is concern, also if they legally violated any laws as we fight outside they fight in the court rooms.,hold weekly rallies in Tompkins Square Park once it does not interfere with other events,ask the surrounding gardens to post flyers on their gardens along with their events leave flyers at stores and businesses in the surrounding
community,
Restore Howard as Sixth Street Community Center.