HomeChinese AmericanChinatown Tenants Begin Second Hunger Strike
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Chinatown Tenants Begin Second Hunger Strike

By Shirley Lew
AsAmNews Staff Writer

It’s been over six months and the evicted tenants of 85 Bowery Street are still not home.

Woman tenant on hunger strike.

On Wednesday, they came together for a morning rally at City Hall to announce their second hunger strike, this time right at the gates of City Hall, which would start at 6pm. Their first hunger strike in early February at the Housing and Preservation Department office in Lower Manhattan lasted about 4 days.

Seven hunger strikers and three members of other local organizations came in solidarity and fasted on Wednesday evening.

Through an interpreter, a tenant, Jin Shou, a petite feisty women with a loud voice said, “He (NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio) colludes with the city agencies and developers, and kicked us out in two hours. There are 90-year-old women and babies. The city is  so heartless and kicked us out anyways. How much money did you get from the developers, DeBlasio?” she shouted.

A recent letter from the landlord, Joseph Betesh, seems to indicate the earliest return date will be in mid-August. According to the letter:

Hunger strikers.

-Asbestos abatement work was completed on Saturday, May 11

-The 2nd floor joist work has been completed

-The 3rd floor joist replacement has commenced, and the 4th and 5th floors will follow. The owner anticipates completion of this work by June 21st.

-Kitchen and bathroom replacement will commence June 21st and the building owner anticipates completion by August 16th.

-Replacement kitchens and bathrooms are necessary due to the extensive joist replacement.

Woman signing petition to Mayor DeBlasio

Tenants remain frustrated at DeBlasio’s inability to give them a guaranteed move back date and his silence about their personal items being thrown into a dumpster in mid-April.

Without a guaranteed move-in date, tenants fear Betesh will continue to delay their return.

The hunger strikers plan to stay at City Hall as long as possible to their get message across to the city and have tied red sashes around their head.

There is a planned march by the organizers around the City Hall on Friday, June 1st at 4pm.

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