As the Department of City Planning moves forward with plans to rezone Jerome Avenue, some neighbors took to the street to protest redevelopment in the area. 

One protester said that the city is bringing luxury apartment to the area where the median income is about $30,000 a year. Many at the rally say they fear the area is at risk of gentrification.

Artist Francheska Alcantara, who organized the rally, encouraged protesters to drag Jabon de Cuaba – a bar of soap common in Dominican households – through the streets. 

"We are black and brown, we are immigrants here," she said.

Those at the rally say they would like to see more affordable housing, social services and a more open dialogue with politicians.