Call: Show me what community looks like!
Response: THIS is what community looks like!!
It’s Friday night and they’re at it again. #BLM marchers defiantly stopping traffic on Bedford Avenue. Their chants rattle the plates of outdoor diners, reminding the neighborhood the fight is far from over. I’m usually on my skateboard up by the bullhorn guy at the front. All too often police cruisers, lights taunting, take up the rear.
My concept of community has changed immeasurably during this 2020 trifecta of tumult: COVID-19, George Floyd unrest and a historically chaotic presidential election (phew!). You see, I’ve been a part of the longest protest in NYC history, meeting at McCarren Park for 170 nights running to support social justice*.
What’s meant the most to me, by far, has been getting to know neighbors I never would have during “peacetime”. It’s absolutely uplifting to be in the company of folks unstoppably determined to elevate their communities. Here are some of their extremely worthy, Brooklyn-based actions for inspiration and support.
No North Brooklyn Fracked Gas Pipeline
Right now, corporate utility National Grid is expanding a massive fracked gas transmission pipeline in North Brooklyn. This project is not a replacement of leaking pipelines, it is an expansion to charge us, the rate-payers, millions of dollars in rate hikes to fill their shareholders pockets, and keep us locked into fossil fuels when we want to move onto affordable and clean renewable energy like geothermal, solar, wind and energy efficient buildings.
- No North Brooklyn Pipeline
In late October I went to a rousing East Williamsburg rally where community groups organized politicians like NYS Senator Julia Salazar and NYC comptroller / mayoral candidate Scott Stringer to speak out loudly against a dangerous, health-threatening, non-sustainable pipeline impacting 160K neighbors. Visit the note for more information and to take action.
Make Meeker Move Community Visioning
For generations the BQE has cut North Brooklyn in two. It has been responsible for traffic deaths and high asthma rates. The space below the highway, nearly 25 acres of land, is ignored and unkept in a community where open space is at an absolute premium. And now despite years of community advocacy and conversation led by North Brooklyn TransAlt in coalition with so many amazing community partners the Department of Transportation is moving ahead with a plan to put metered parking between Metropolitan and Lorimer.
Instead of investing in street safety, strong bike networks, vibrant open space, and the environmental justice we deserve they are trying to make a buck. Turning a profit while this community deals with the consequences.
- North Brooklyn Mutual Aid
I recently attended a Make Meeker Move Zoom meeting about the Department of Transportation's plans to install metered parking under the BQE elevated highway - despite NO public input, ignoring the substantial environmental issues the roadway poses and casting aside any neighborhood needs.
I was extremely impressed with the North BK organizations and politicians who presented strategies to oppose this development and initiatives to transform a divisive, hazardous monstrosity into a positive community space. You can find out more after the jump.
"Friendly Fridges" Full of Free Food for
New Yorkers
At community refrigerators, anyone is welcome to take whatever they want and leave behind food they don’t need, like extra produce. Many volunteers who clean and stock the refrigerators daily ask local restaurants and stores to donate unused or unsold food items instead of throwing them away. The goals are simple: Reduce food waste and feed the community.
- NYT
My friends at North Brooklyn Mutual Aid are central to making this vital community initiative happen locally. It’s such a direct and effective way to address the fact that food is a right for all our neighbors. Locations and food share resources in the note.
Weigh in on HelluvaNote
I’d love to hear if you got value out of this collection of HelluvaNotes. We’re currently doing brief video interviews of Notables (folks who know and use the tool). If you’re down to chat about curated content like this please give me a shout.
Whose streets? Our streets!
Greg
* More on the McCarren Gathering in a future newsletter