STOP THE TAKEOVER OF PLAINSBORO RESCUE SQUAD OPERATIONS BY THE TOWNSHIP!
Plainsboro Township, NJ, USA
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I live in Italy, but I’ve visited New York many times in the last 25 years. I’ve seen the Sixth Street Community Center grow and involve more and more people in the neighborhood through the years. I’ve seen its activities multiply in number and variety. I’ve seen how it attracted more and more young people and families, involving them in multifold educational and social projects.
At the heart of all this growth, of these activities and experiences there has always been Howard Brandstein. He has created and nurtured this project with relentless passion and dedication. The Sixth Street Community Center is the embodiment and the outcome of his lifelong vision and commitment.
I really can’t believe that something that has been pursued with such generosity may be taken out of his hands with such impunity and brazen disregard for all the work he’s done.
I hope that whoever is responsible for this unjustified decision can be made to step back and give back to him and the community what belongs to them and them only.
I stand with all my heart and soul alongside Howard Brandstein and all the people who make the Sixth Street Community Center such a precious place. Solidarity from Italy, Never give up
Roberta supported: Support the Movement to Reclaim Sixth Street Community Center!I am deeply troubled by the decision of the board to remove Howard Brandstein from the 6th Street Community Center. This action is unfair, unjust, and feels like a clear act of bullying — and it must stop.
Howard has been a pillar of our community for decades. He has dedicated his life to the people of Loisaida, working tirelessly to keep us united, empowered, and strong. His love for the community and commitment to our shared mission cannot be questioned.
What is the real reason behind this decision? Why push out someone who has always stood for the people?
We say enough is enough.
We say: Bring Howard back!
Let’s choose kindness. Let’s seek real solutions — together.
Support justice. Support community. Support Howard.
Sign and share this petition.
Maraluna Rivas Mico
Maraluna supported: Support the Movement to Reclaim Sixth Street Community Center!I met Howard Brandstein in the mid-1980s, while working at a social and cultural history of the Lower East Side. He and Marlis Momber (and many others: Chino, Bimbo, Maria, Miguel…) literally opened up the neighborhood to me: its rich past, its complex present, its communitarian identity, its struggles against the forces of the powers that be – long discussions, people to meet, places to visits, events to attend... I enjoyed their hospitality and readiness to share experience and knowledge, their unrelenting determination and energy in defending the treasures of a community that never stopped fighting. The Sixth Street Community Center was and is a fulcrum for this activity: I admired Howard's and Annette's vision and engagement, their key role in creating, developing and strengthening such a rare institution in a neighborhood which was and is undergoing radical and disturbing changes. Since then, for decades, I have met Howard again and again, and he always kept me updated on the Center's activity and life. To me, what is happening now (his brutal dismissal, the vicious attack against the Center) is shocking and disgusting: a manifestation of pure and simple greed, shameless and aggressive. It is brazen gentrification at its worst, the vulgar and outrageous expression of a decaying society. I hope and trust that the community for whose well-being Howard has always given time and passion will stand by his side: he must be reinstated, without hesitation!
Mario Maffi, State University of Milan (Italy)
Mario supported: Support the Movement to Reclaim Sixth Street Community Center!I find this decision incredibly upsetting. The SSCC IS Howard Brandstein, someone has stewarded and maintained this organization for over 35 years. He is at the center day and night, and has worked tirelessly to make sure that the organization runs well. He has been invaluable source of knowledge and support for homesteaders in the LES and for those who want to preserve affordable housing in the neighborhood--a resource that is in short supply.
The actions of the board are dismissive and hypocritical--the kind of behavior I would expect from an impersonal, corporate institution, not a community-based organization. This feels deeply unjust both to Howard and to the community.
Jennah supported: Support the Movement to Reclaim Sixth Street Community Center!In a time when there is so much uncertainty in the world and the country affecting our daily lives, we need our community center now more than ever, as a place to meet, support each other, dream together and learn. It has been doing this for 50 years under the sage and friendly leadership of co founder and Executive Director Howard Brandstein.
This is an unjust power grab by a smal, non transparentl kabal who have been harassing our community friend and leader for a year, and are now forcing community out of our long time home.
We should be supporting each other in equity and unity, commUNITY; not seeking division and privilege
Barbara supported: Support the Movement to Reclaim Sixth Street Community Center!Cheered here for five years in the late 80s-90s. As a shy, nerdy girl who enjoyed a little gymnastics, this was an opportunity to work with others (that quickly became friends), build self-esteem, and promote diversity! I have such fond memories, especially my first trip to New Orleans with the All-stars squad!!!
Kathryn supported: Revive, Rebuild, Renew: A Call to Transform the Heart of North SarasotaAs someone who has witnessed first hand the effort and dedication put into this department by the volunteers and the Chief, I can confidently say the corruption is within the board. Its not just fire, its family.
Sierra supported: Save Lay Lake Fire DepartmentAs firefighters serving at the Lay Lake Volunteer Fire Department, we have taken an oath to protect our community, to shoulder the responsibility, face the danger, and respond with resolve. Yet, we currently find ourselves grappling with a unique challenge- the democratic privilege to influence the operation of our own station. Until now, the board members of our station have been appointed, not elected. This has left us, the ones who face the fires, with very little say in matters of administration, policy-making, operation and the general direction of our service.
There is more than optimism in the belief that those who bear the consequences of the decisions should have a voice in making them. It's a principle that underpins democracy itself. Across the globe, participation of stakeholders in decision-making significantly improves the efficiency and satisfaction rates. According to a study by Cornell University, allowing employee participation in decision-making led to increased productivity and profitability (source: "Voices in Decision-Making: The Effect of Workers’ Voice in France and the UK," published by Cornell University).
By allowing us to elect our board members, our voice will be heard, our impact will be felt, and our dedication will be woven into the very fabric of our department's operation. With elected office bearers who share our experiences, understand our challenges and prioritize our needs, we are poised to become a more effective, more empowered fire department service.
Sign this petition, stand with us, and lend your voice to our cause. Let us together transform the Lay Lake Volunteer Fire Department into a beacon of democratic function, a model for all voluntary services, and above all, a better, stronger pillar of community safety.
Community supported: Save Lay Lake Fire DepartmentYou’re not alone — a community of supporters is ready to back you.
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