Facing a sea of protest signs and American flags held by opponents of the homeless shelter proposed for 25^th Avenue and 86^th Street, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) led a rally at the site featuring local businesses that have been instrumental in the ongoing fight on the morning of Wednesday, August 21.

Chanting “No, No, No,” “USA, USA, USA” and “Fight, Fight, Fight” to the steady beat of drumming, the crowd – which numbered in the hundreds – provided an ongoing soundtrack to the rally that echoed the daily demonstrations that have taken place in front of 2501 86^th Street for the past 36 days, as community members – residents and merchants alike – have made it clear that the solution to helping the city’s homeless population is not to build shelters, but rather to provide permanent affordable housing and appropriate support services.

“This is a failed city policy that helps developers and owners and fails to help homeless people,” contended Assemblyman Colton. “They are spending $8 billion a year of your taxpayer dollars, and very soon, when we will this fight – and we will win it – we’ll not only be winning it for you and this neighborhood, but we’ll be winning it for taxpayers all over this city because this failed policy must be changed.

“This is a compassionate community,” Assemblyman Colton continued. “We want a decent policy that provides permanent housing, and that gets those people who have mental health issues the help they need, and that doesn’t simply release them onto the street and warehouse them in city shelters.”

Councilmember Susan Zhuang agreed. The policy, she said, “Attacks working families and small businesses without bringing anything for our homeless. We can’t allow this to be built next to schools, day care centers, senior centers and small businesses.”

One business leader urged the developer to work with the community to build something that will benefit them as well as himself. “Work with us to create something that can make a profit,” Vinny LaPorta said. “Let us love you.”

“Bay Parkway businesses will continue to support the community’s demand unwaveringly until the job is done,” added Paul Li, president of the Bay Parkway Chamber of Commerce.

The daily protests commenced after word came that the developer was poised to begin demolition of the existing building. Hundreds of people have been at the site each day from morning till evening, watching out to make sure that the developer does not do anything he should not be doing, and registering approximately 3,000 new voters. Local merchants have supported the ongoing protests, one even providing 100 lunches every day to the people who spend their days at the site.

Opposition to the plan has been strong and sustained since the city announced last year that it planned to open a homeless shelter for 150 single men, many of whom struggle with addiction or mental health issues, at the location. There have been numerous prior protests, some of which drew thousands of protesters. In addition, some 53,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to the plan.