2008 COALTION TO SAVE HARLEM and REZONING BATTLES

Kay Samuels: The Coalition to Save Harlem was a very good coalition, that really should still be functioning because it brought so many groups together, which I thought was great. People who were not afraid to get out into the street, or to holler at a politician, which was really needed.

But when it was at its height, it was very effective and I do believe the politicians were extremely worried, particularly the way people showed up at City Hall the day they had the hearing about the rezoning. People got a chance to go and speak but the minds were already made up. It was really sad to see our own politicians getting ready to really just stab us… And for people who won’t even let you ask them questions in the meeting, to give these big speeches at City Council, regarding “their people” and so-and-so. You just want to scream because you have to sit there and be calm because they’re the first ones to tell the police to pull you out, you know? You have to sit there calmly but it’s something that just tears at your heart, to hear how these people talk and know that they are the reason why so much of this is happening.