The issues in Peekskill N.Y. I have written about have far reaching implications. The Peekskill, Westchester County and New York State Democrats have ALL turned their backs on Black people in Peekskill. I have written, phoned and even met with officials from all of those groups. The only thing they were interested in was me calming things down in Peekskill and asking Blacks, through my radio show, to vote Democrat in November of 2010. We didn't even entertain that option. Here is why.
Westchester County is well known for the wealth and celebrities it hosts. Over the years, a push has been made to drive poor people and people of color out of Westchester. Peekskill signed on to the plan. Specifically, they want to "change the demographics" of Public Housing. One building in particular was targeted, Bohlmann Towers.
Bohlmann Towers sits right on a main road leading into Peekskill. Over the years many politicians have publically called Bohlmann an "eyesore" and " a blight on the community." Guess Bohlmann is not considered part of the community. Interestingly, most of the residents of Bohlmann Towers work, go to church and many pay over $1,000 a month rent. But they were maligned so the politicians could move on them. In any event, Bohlmann was targeted for gentrification.
We, mainly the organization I head, the Committee for Justice, have successfully fought that back. Instead, we pointed out that a) African Americans sitting or standing in front of their place of residence does not constitute a "blight." And b) a more acceptable plan would be jobs, job training and youth programs.
We fought for those programs and got them. When I say "fought", I mean we marched, picketed and pushed at council meetings until we got what we wanted. Bohlmann is still there. Along come the Democrats and try to impliment a new plan to gentrify. But this time, they will use a Black face to do it- Harold Phipps from New Jersey.
In Peekskill and Westchester County, poor people and people of color have been sold out. As host of a Black Talk Radio Show in Westchester County and as a long time community activist, most of the state and county wide leaders know me. They have either been on my show or worked with me over the years on one issue or another.
Despite my "friendship" with many prominent Black leaders in Westchester, I continue to fight for low income people. Most of the top Black elected officials are fighting to become the first Black County Executive. They have left our issues behind. In fact, we- the movement- are seen more as a threat to them. We are a growing Grassroots group that is getting stronger everyday in Westchester. We are not interested in "voting Democrat" to get our freedom. That threatens their positions in the community.
The Black clergy are sitting this one out also. Can't risk that grant money they get for telling their flock to vote for some right wing politician. These clergy seem to be more plantation leader than church leader.
Another thing about Black elected officials in Westchester. They are not going to stand up for poor Blacks who "don't vote anyway" and risk the white political bosses kicking them off the ballot. Funny how when someone-Black or white- runs for office and speaks to our issues, we come out in record numbers.
So Peekskill represents poor people and people of color organizing, fighting back and collecting victories. The gatekeepers (Black clergy and Black Dems in Westchester) fear us more than the klan! As Malcolm said,"boss...I can't stop it cause I didn't start it.
Here are our issues in brief: Harold Phipps is a sex harassment jerk who was fired from Asbury Park N.J. He is now in Peekskill treating woman the same way. The white mayor loves him. We want Phipps out. Until then, no business as usual at city hall. He is her guy to gentrify. "It's not racism, one of your own is doing it."
The Peekskill mayor has also protected white managers who call the few African American employees working for the city the "N" word. She has done nothing about white managers refusing to train Black employees so they can move up. White men come to work drunk, get sent home sick. Blacks get tested and fired. We have given the city specific cases to resolve. They refuse. No business as usual at city hall until we see progress.
All of these issues and much more are what we have been exposing at Peekskill City Council meetings. It has been all over the news. That is why you are reading about me shutting down meetings. Me, and my brave allies, will not cooperate with racial oppression. There is no excuse for Westchester's Black leaders to not help us other than being pure opportunists.
As we speak out at council meetings and housing board meetings, the mayor and the lackeys she appointed to the housing authority have attacked our free speech, threatened us with eviction and/or arrest! Yet, we are marching on! Getting stronger and more free everyday.
Over the past decade, I have been arrested five times (twice for talking at council meetings), banned from all school property and banned from all housing authority property. I have been put on trial three times. Found guilty every time. Including once by a judge who admitted to vacationing with members of the city council who ordered me arrested! All of this for fighting racism in Peekskill N.Y. These people are vicious but are up against some true warriors. The struggle continues. On to victory!