Bushwick rally calls for rent strike for tenants impacted by pandemic

Several organizations rallied in Bushwick Sunday to call for a rent strike in the wake of the pandemic.

News 12 Staff

Jul 5, 2020, 11:07 PM

Updated 1,555 days ago

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Several organizations rallied in Bushwick Sunday to call for a rent strike in the wake of the pandemic.
The group gathered at Maria Hernandez Park with signs that read "Housing is a human right - Can't pay, won't pay."
Demonstrators called on state and city leaders to cancel rent because of the hardships that many have faced during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bushwick-Bed Stuy Tenant Coalition organized the event.
Demonstrators who came out say thousands in the New York City area are in desperate need of help.
They said coronavirus has left many people unemployed and are now struggling to pay their rent.
Within the last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, which extends eviction protections for renters, but it's only temporary. The protections will cease whenever the state's declaration of emergency is lifted.
Organizers called for a long-term permanent solution that will ensure families will not have to worry about paying rent.
Protesters also spoke against landlords who they said have continued to demand rent, regardless of what families have been going through. They added that many tenants have not seen a paycheck over the past two to three months and are gong to need a solution soon so they will not be left out on the street.