NYC Stabilization Protest Identifies ZARA Harassment of Jamaica Tenants
On Friday, August 25, 2017 the Southeast Queens Muslim Collective (SEQMC) participated in a local tenant rally in Jamaica, NY held for the purpose of protesting the believed illegal tactics of ZARA Realty that are encroaching upon their rights to live without unjust harassment. Years of activism by local tenants who have been plagued by ZARA Realty strategies believed to force them out of their mostly subsidized apartments in order to free them for market-rent paying tenants as Jamaica undergoes a physical transformation with more apartments and hotels coming into the area, have had the support and assistance of Stabilizing NYC and Chhaya Community Development Corporation, in addition to other social/human services agencies throughout their struggle. The organized protest included a press conference to widely inform media, local elected officials and the general public of ZARA's unethical and alleged illegal constant threats to its tenants that will be challenged. In essence, tenants are saying "enough is enough!"
Also in attendance were various local and state officials whose interest and concern was evident.. New York City Council Member I. Daneek Miller of the 27th Councilmatic District, Queens spoke directly regarding his office being in support of ascertaining the facts and alleviating any injustices against those who offend the people residing in his district. New York State Senator Leroy Comrie of the 14th Senatorial District, Queens was represented by staff from his office who spoke out against the use of unlawful tactics against tenants living in buildings owned and managed by ZARA.
There were many other individuals in attendance from local agencies including the New York City Commission on Human Rights who did not speak but whose presence provided support. Several tenants told their stories of how Zara was negatively and unnecessarily confrontational and threatening. Following the press conference in front of one of ZARA's properties, tenants and their supporters marched to ZARA's headquarters on Hillside Avenue to continue the protest.
The South East Queens Muslim Collective (SEQMC) acknowledges the complaints of tenants residing in ZARA owned apartments. To our knowledge, these complaints have existed for years. Two SEQMC members have been directly involved in tenant actions and complaints, over many years, regarding a ZARA owned and managed apartment complex on 168th Street. These tenants, comprised of families, deserve to dwell in housing that is well maintained, secure and affordable given applicable housing and public safety laws without undue or intentional harassment to try and force them to move for what is assumed to be the economic benefit of the owner. These tenants have leases and pay their rent. Many of the residents migrated to the US expecting an experience that would be different and improved from many of the circumstances some have fled from. For the owners to themselves be immigrants and conduct business in a manner that intimidates its tenants demonstrates what appears to be an unconscionable bias to exploit people whose circumstances ZARA claims to be all too familiar. To use commonality of ethnicity or nationality as an excuse to avoid guilt for the ill-intended treatment inflicted upon tenants who appear to be meeting their obligations is unethical. Tenants have complained of vermin, mold and other unhealthy conditions that are not repaired or attended to in these buildings. Landlords do not have the right to restrict services and force tenants to live in squalor and unhealthy conditions with mice, rodents and roaches when they pay their rent or even when rent is unpaid. (See: Queens landlord pushes DHS tip line to scare immigrants out of rent-controlled units, residents say; http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/queens-landlord-pushes-dhs-tip-line-scare-immigrants-tenants-article-1.3237351) SEQMC also acknowledges and commends legal and other available services that have enabled and empowered the residents in ZARA apartments to resist housing bias and exploitation that may be rectified by the court. Mayor De Blasio's recent signage of Right to Counsel legislation created by the New York City Council ensures low-income tenants will be represented in Housing Court against the tirade of accusations some are facing by less than ethical landlords. The development of more affordable housing does not make it more easily accessible to current community residents. Housing remains harder to secure at affordable costs. Residents currently living in affordable housing should do all that they can to keep it. Resisting landlords unethical attempts to undermine tenants to evict them to obtain a higher rent from some future tenant are anticipated struggles many may face ahead. For more about the Right to Counsel bill, see: http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/547-17/mayor-de-blasio-signs-legislation-provide-low-income-new-yorkers-access-counsel-for#/0
SEQMC will continue to report any injustices, alleged or otherwise, that are occurring to residents in our community. We will consider supporting any organizations that would like to collaborate with us given our mutual concerns and interest to encourage civic engagement and promote housing, education, economic empowerment/stability and social justice issues. If you think SEQMC can be of assistance to direct you or someone you know to services or an agency that may support your housing situation, please contact us by email at seqmc1@gmail. com or call SEQMC at 718-663-4844.
