BREAKING: Judge Will Rule Monday Whether Lucerne Residents Can Stay, TRO Continued Until Then

NEW YORK, NY (11/17/2020) (readMedia)-- Judge Debra James just ruled she will decide whether or not the men can stay at the Lucerne shelter on Monday. Judge James rejected West Side Community Organizations attempt to attach as a party to the suit which was brought by Downtown New Yorkers Inc. Mayor Bill de Blasio could end the litigation now by simply reversing his ill-advised decision to direct the Department of Homeless Services to move the men at the request of a wealthy, well connected few on the UWS.

Michael Hiller, the lawyer for three men temporarily housed at the Lucerne, as well as Shams aka Da Homeless Hero, will be available for comment over zoom from 4:30pm to 5pm today.

Below is a statement from Shams aka Da Homeless Hero:

"We hope that Judge Debra James eventually rules in favor of those of us at the Lucerne and considers our humanity and wellbeing over those who showed no concern for us. We are just three temporarily homeless people who are challenging the status quo so that we are no longer dehumanized by a system that is supposed to provide for our well-being but instead treats us like pawns in a political chess game. We are so thankful to our fellow residents who support us, Project Renewal and its staff that support us, the hundreds of community members, elected officials, and faith leaders who continue to stand with us. We look forward to working with both sides and helping heal this community.Our hope is that the Mayor and the First Lady stop by and see the great services happening at the Lucerne. As a model for how to properly integrate a homeless population into a community, we hope our success here could be used as a template that can be replicated at other shelters across the City. We ask that the Mayor change his position on moving us and do what is truly in the best interest of us. We are saying this, those who are living at the Lucerne, and we hope he listens to us."