Testimonials

Attack at BROADWAY JUNCTION

At Callahan-Kelly Playground, at Broadway Junction, in Brooklyn, I sat to read a paperback book, the title now forgotten. The day was bright, sunny and cool. It was around 2006. I was using the services of the Gathering Place, a drop-in center in East New York. On a park bench, I unlaced my sneakers to air my feet. The chance to read on a sun-dappled bench was a simple pleasure. Another walked by, a girl who might have been six years old. I greeted her as she went on her way.

Several minutes later, a group of boys approached. A woman was with them, and the same little girl tagged along. The boys stopped at the bench where I was seated. One of them questioned me about talking to the girl. I noticed that some of the boys moved behind me. That’s when I knew I was in danger. I said I had greeted the girl, but denied harming her. My answer did not satisfy them, and the woman was urging them on. I was struck in the back of the head, at the nape of my neck. My glasses fell. Near-sighted, I felt even more vulnerable. The donated frames were clear, and I couldn’t find them against the cement. The first boy questioned me, again. I had little more to say, and decided, above all, to stay calm and show no fear.

Another blow came to the same spot on my head. I noticed that the boy behind me was concentrating on that place: all of his blows would be there. Somehow, I rose from the bench. Slowly, we moved to the open space, nearer the handball courts. I asked, politely and repeatedly, for my glasses. That finally worked. One of them handed them back to me; but I was still surrounded, and the blows continued. It would help buy time, I thought, if I could prevent the attacker from hitting me in that same spot. Once, I heard his step behind me, so I turned. When he slipped, trying to stop his advance toward me, I saw the fear in his eyes. There were perhaps seven punches to that same spot, when I began to see stars.

Then, a man walked toward us from the direction of the subway station. He coolly asked what was going on. Grateful, I turned and walked away from the pack of boys, the woman and the girl, my shoelaces flailing. All I wanted was to get away.

The Homeless Protection Act would help protect vulnerable individuals. More often than reported, people take it upon themselves to harm those experiencing homelessness. The stigma related to poverty and homelessness allows for hate crimes. We need the protection of the law.

- Phillip, Consumer Advocate at Care For the Homeless

ATTACK ON THE SUBWAY

Not too long ago, I observed a woman on the train and I make the assumption that she was homeless, not only because I was formerly homeless and you kind of know when someone’s from the same tribe, but the fact that she had all of her worldly possessions with her led me to believe that she was homeless. When the train stopped at this particular station, I heard this very loud sound and when I turned my head to look, I see someone had violently thrown all of her belongings out of the train car.

I can only imagine how that must have made that woman feel because it did something to me, I had a visceral reaction to it. The reason I think of that moment when I think of the Homeless Protection Act is simply because it was obvious that this person felt that they could do this to this woman, that they could violate her because she was homeless.

A violation doesn’t always have to happen to your physical being. They can violate someone emotionally. They can violate someone by threatening their peace of mind, their sense of safety. By tossing this person’s stuff off in such a violent manner, he violated her, and he did it because he knew he would get away with it, he knew he wouldn’t be held accountable.

- Dennis, Consumer Advocate at Care For the Homeless

FROM THE NEWS

“The number of homeless people killed in NYC is increasing.”

The Gothamist
“[John Doe], who is believed to be in his 30s and regularly slept in hallways and stairwells of the Samuel Gompers Houses building on Pitt St., was set on fire as he dozed on a third-floor landing.”

After clinging to life for 13 days, homeless man set ablaze in NYCHA building dies: NYPD
“Violence against the unhoused rarely draws attention or public outcry.”

Washington Examiner
“A New York City subway rider who police say was randomly stabbed to death while he slept on the train has been identified as a beloved soccer player. Friends of Akeem Loney say the 32-year-old was a gifted soccer player who played for the local league of Street Soccer USA, which helps homeless people through soccer.”

“Soccer Player Was Sleeping on Subway When Randomly Stabbed to Death,” NBC.
My Friend Jordan Neely Was Homeless and in Mental Distress. But He Was Not Expendable.

The Marshall Project
"We must disrupt the culture that poses unhoused people as a threat. Passing the Homeless Protection Act is an essential step toward recognizing the dignity and rights of unhoused individuals."

“Redefining Our Responsibility to Unhoused New Yorkers," Gotham Gazette.

Testimonials

Attack at BROADWAY JUNCTION

“The number of homeless people killed in NYC is increasing.”

“[John Doe], who is believed to be in his 30s and regularly slept in hallways and stairwells of the Samuel Gompers Houses building on Pitt St., was set on fire as he dozed on a third-floor landing.”

“Violence against the unhoused rarely draws attention or public outcry.”

My Friend Jordan Neely Was Homeless and in Mental Distress. But He Was Not Expendable.

"We must disrupt the culture that poses unhoused people as a threat. Passing the Homeless Protection Act is an essential step toward recognizing the dignity and rights of unhoused individuals."