Support
Ethnic Studies with professors and hiring power
Update
Major Cultures with classes on colonialism and race
Expand
responsibly through community input
Increase administrative support

This is what we are fighting for. Support the strike & sign the petition. Contact us at columbia.solidarity@gmail.com

Monday, December 10, 2007

WED at the City Council - DEFEND THE COMMUNITY PLAN, DEMAND A JUST EXPANSION

Wednesday, Dec 12th. All day (STUDENTS COME AT 1:15 by TRAIN)
In front of the NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
Hearings on Manhattanville

DEFEND THE COMMUNITY PLAN, DEMAND A JUST EXPANSION


What?
A Show of Strength and Solidarity with the Communities of Harlem
Students Take a Stand at the City Council public hearing on the
Columbia Expansion

Meet at the 116th and Broadway Gates at 1:15pm.
At 2pm we will be at the hearing to SHOW our support
and let the City Council know: "STUDENTS SAY: NO ONE GETS DISPLACED"

(you will be back uptown to work on finals and papers by 3pm if you
like :) and if you have music or noise makers bring them along )

Directions by train:
Take the 1, 2, 3, A or C to Chambers Street, enter through City Hall
Park.

What matters most right now is the more the better. For EVERY PERSON
who comes out the message will be louder and clearer.

--

Why Now?
Wednesday, is the last major hearing as part of the city process to
determine the future of West Harlem and the Columbia plan to build a
17 acre / $7bn research campus in the neighborhood of Manhattanville.
As you may know the Columbia plan has long competed with the
community's (197a) plan for the future of the neighborhood.

Most community residents believe both plans can co-exist, but in order
for that to happen, the Columbia must be accountable to the community
needs - most especially no displacement of residents in the expansion
area or the surrounding neighborhoods .

Columbia's own environmental impact study predicts that 300 people
will be directly displaced and over 3,300 people from the surrounding
Black and Latino neighborhoods will see their rents become
unaffordable because of this development - something already happening
throughout the neighborhood.

The City Council are the publicly accountable decision makers for New
Yorkers. What the City decides goes, except what gets worked out in
private negotiations and the state. This may be the last chance to
have a major student and public showing on the expansion .


What happened as of late?

You may have heard some of the recent news around the expansion and
displacement in Harlem. The 125th St zoning receiving little support
throughout the neighborhood and getting voted down by Central Harlem's
CB10 because it will destroy the character of one of America's most
important commercial streets, and the heart of Harlem. Or you have
heard about the trouble the West Harlem Local Development Corp. has
come across in negotiating with Columbia about a fair and just set of
community benefits because of the role of politicians and closed
negotiations with Columbia. Or you heard about the Hunger Strike,
which though seven students and a professor fasted for 10 days the
University administration made no concessions on the expansion,
especially around protecting tenants who will be displaced and
offering an adequate amount toward preserving and creating affordable
housing its plan will displace.

This is the last public hearing of a 7 month city review process. The
process was started during the summer, and will end during winter
break. A decision made by the University that has excluded community
residents and students alike from the process. The University made no
change to the start of the hearings when students and community
brought these concerns saying that this timing will exclude us from
the process.


What is Wednesday again?

Though this hearing falls on reading days - one of the worst times for
student participation - and at the height of the holidays - when our
neighbors should be spending time with their families - we still have
a chance to be HEARD and take ACTION!

People who want, can, have, not sure but think they should, - give two
hours of your time (1:15 - 3:15), and come down to the hearing. There
will be some visible action taking place, so the City Council knows
"STUDENTS SAY: NO DISPLACEMENT"


Meet at the 116th St. Broadway Gates - 1:15
Bring noise makers if you have