UWS Community + Shelter Residents Wrap Lucerne Hotel in Ribbon of Love

UWS Community leaders, CM Helen Rosenthal, AM Linda Rosenthal, and other electeds will protest upcoming eviction of Lucerne men, and fight back against racism on the UWS

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NEW YORK, NY (10/04/2020) (readMedia)-- Today, UWS Open Hearts Initiative will join together with shelter residents currently housed at the Lucerne Hotel, elected officials, and other leaders to hold a single ribbon surrounding the Lucerne Hotel in solidarity against segregationist attempts to displace the community. The ribbon will form a "symbolic blockade" of the Lucerne hotel, showing solidarity between the UWS community and shelter residents, while the group sings protest songs.

Clients of Project Renewal were placed at the Lucerne in late July, after being transferred from another hotel in Midtown following community objections. Temporary hotel shelters are being used by the Department of Homeless services (DHS) to stop the spread of COVID-19 in congregate shelters. Recently, Mayor de Blasio caved to backlash from some wealthy members of the Upper West Side who started a racist Facebook group, raised 150K, and hired Randy Mastro to get the residents of the Lucerne relocated to another hotel in Lower Manhattan. The eviction was initially scheduled for Monday, and now is being delayed in the wake of similar objections from the downtown neighborhood.

UWS Open Hearts will also run a voter registration drive and Free Store for shelter residents at the event, with food provided by Feed the Frontlines NYC. Flyer is attached.

WHO:

Lucerne shelter residents, including da Homeless Hero

UWS Open Hearts Initiative

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal

Councilmember Helen Rosenthal

Represenative from the Office of the Public Advocate

Other electeds and public officials to be confirmed
WHAT:

Protest from UWS Open Hearts, shelter residents currently housed at the Lucerne Hotel, elected officials, and other leaders to hold a single ribbon surrounding the Lucerne Hotel in solidarity against the Mayor’s decision to prioritize white comfort above Black lives to displace Lucerne residents.
WHEN: Sunday October 04, 2020 at 02:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: In front of the Lucerne Hotel
201 W 79th St
New York City, New York 10024
NOTES: