On June 1st (Sunday), the “Defend Our Homes March,” organized jointly by New Yorker First, American Voices Matter, and “Save South Brooklyn,” called for over a thousand people to gather from three different starting points, culminating in a rally at Kings Plaza in Brooklyn. Participants chanted slogans, the atmosphere was charged, and their demands were clear: opposition to the “City of Yes” project, opposition to the lithium battery storage facilities, and opposition to homeless shelters located in residential areas.
The procession started from multiple locations, with chants along the way like, “Unite against homeless shelters, protect our homes!” The organizers stressed that the “City of Yes” project forces the community to accept unreasonable development policies, leading to overly dense construction, lithium battery warehouses, and homeless shelters entering residential areas without the consent of residents.
The organizers stated that the march’s demands included opposition to the establishment of lithium battery storage facilities at the intersection of Flatbush Ave and Quentin Rd, opposition to the construction of homeless shelters at 2134 Coyle St in Sheepshead Bay, and opposition to the construction of high-density residential projects at the intersection of Flatbush Ave and T Ave. These projects have raised strong concerns among community residents about safety, the environment, and quality of life.
At the rally, several political figures and community leaders spoke out against the city government’s policies.
Ron Canterino, head of New Yorker First, pointed out, “Today’s march is a large-scale mobilization of Brooklyn residents. We are law-abiding taxpayers, and we have the right to demand that the city council stop these policies that are destroying our homes. We are not against helping the homeless, but homeless shelters should not be located next to residential areas or near schools.”
State Assembly Member Yong Jia Cheng criticized the potential dangers of lithium batteries, saying, “Four buildings in my district were damaged due to fires caused by lithium batteries in electric bicycles, leaving 60 residents homeless. This is not trivial; it’s a matter of life and safety. Instead of spending taxpayers’ money on inefficient homeless shelters, we should provide housing vouchers and assistance from real estate brokers for placement.”
He also suggested considering setting up shelters on Rikers Island instead of putting residential areas at risk, stating, “There are thousands of vacant units there that should not go to waste.”
State Senator Hsueh Li Chen also bluntly stated that homelessness has become “industrialized,” with many non-profit organizations profiting from it. The city spends between $700 to $750 daily on each homeless person without effectively addressing the root problem. He criticized Mayor Adams’ imbalanced policies, questioning why communities should bear all the burdens, emphasizing the need for the mayor to manage existing facilities properly instead of pouring money into a bottomless pit.
He also criticized the unfair distribution of funds to illegal immigrants during the pandemic, pointing out that while Cuomo gave each illegal immigrant $16,000, most law-abiding citizens and veterans received only $2,000 to $4,000, which he deemed unjust.
Assembly Member Jaime Williams of the 59th District strongly opposed the construction of lithium battery energy storage facilities and homeless shelters within the community. She highlighted the potential threats these development projects pose to resident safety, as well as the possibility of homeowners being unable to afford insurance costs. She criticized some elected officials for remaining silent on these issues and not standing up to defend the rights of their constituents.
As a Democratic Party member, she openly supported Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, criticizing some Democratic candidates for their absurd words and inability to lead the city out of chaos. She urged everyone to unite, defend their homes and community values because “having a home should not be a crime.”
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also attended the event, expressing support for the displayed unity of “supporting the blue (representing the police), supporting the American flag, and supporting safety.” He emphasized that the “City of Yes” policy would strip the community of control over its own destiny: “These plans are being pushed through discreetly, excluding both the community boards and elected officials.”
In conclusion, the organizers once again urged the city government to cease implementing development projects without community consent, pledging to continue their actions until the policies are revised and the people’s demands are taken seriously.