In front of the construction site at 2501 86th Street, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where a homeless shelter for single men is planned to be built, hundreds of community residents held a protest on the evening of July 19th to mark the one-year anniversary of their resistance movement. Various elected officials from the local area attended to show their support and collectively condemned the city government for disregarding the will of the people.
Since the summer of 2024 when the developer’s plan to demolish the existing building and construct a shelter for 150 single homeless men came to light, the residents’ protest has continued to this day. Mr. Luo, the head of the Chinese Community Service Center, expressed concerns about the potential safety issues that could arise if homeless individuals with substance abuse or mental health problems wander the streets. He criticized the city government for turning a blind eye to these risks, saying it is unacceptable.
Since the eruption of protests on July 17th last year, many volunteers and residents have been keeping vigil at the site day and night to prevent construction from starting. Mr. Ma, a volunteer, spent over a hundred nights sleeping at the site, becoming a symbol of the community’s solidarity. A resident, Mr. Li, recalled how a year ago, everyone stood shoulder to shoulder to protect the neighborhood, opposing the construction of the shelter in a location unanimously objected to by all residents. He mentioned that even when he, his son, and City Council Member Zhuang Wenyi were arrested during the protests, he remained fearless because he believed they were fighting for their community and future generations.
“This protest has united the entire community, showcasing the power of residents coming together to protect their homes,” said State Assemblyman William Colton.
City Council Member Zhuang Wenyi passionately criticized the city government for its failed policies and disregard for the voices of the residents. She vowed to continue fighting for the residents and mobilize more voters for the upcoming November elections, emphasizing the need to ensure everyone has the opportunity to vote.
State Senator Chen Xueli pointed out that this struggle is not just against misguided policies but also a condemnation of Mayor Adams’ administration for turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the community’s concerns. He stressed that today is not a celebration but a commemoration of their year-long perseverance and unity, highlighting the necessity for residents to protect their community in the absence of government action.
State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia mentioned the forceful police intervention and arrests that occurred on July 17th last year, which revealed the mayor’s attitude and underscored the residents’ determination to fight injustice and safeguard their community.
A tribute was paid by Heli Ning from Assemblyman Colton’s office to the volunteers who steadfastly stood their ground for a year, acknowledging their unwavering commitment that will be recorded in the history of the Chinese community.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City, who was present at the event, pledged that if elected, he would put an end to such controversial projects. He promised to defend the residents and the entire community, vowing not to allow Mayor Adams to push forward more shelter plans or let individuals like Zohran Mamdani, a socialist, take away their homes.
Residents and elected officials united in calling on the city government to immediately withdraw the homeless shelter project and bring the Sandu Group, the developer, back to the negotiation table to reassess the location and policy direction. “What we want is dialogue, not forceful imposition,” reiterated Senator Chen Xueli, stating that they will continue to stand firm until the project is terminated.