PTH in the News
Here are some highlights from recent press coverage of our work, as well as a decade’s worth of archives.
New York Times: New York Police Illegally Profiling Homeless People, Complaint Says
Advocates for homeless people filed a complaint with New York City’s Civil Rights Commission on Thursday accusing the Police Department of targeting people living on the street, a practice they say violates a two-year-old law that prohibits “bias-based profiling.”
New York Daily News: NYCLU Files Complaint Against NYPD for Harassing Homeless People
“They [cops] were constantly coming and telling us to move along,” he said. “They’re just treating us like nobody, like we’re nothing. It was horrible.”
Park, who suffers from arthritis, said, “I have a handicap and I couldn’t even sit down for a couple of minutes and rest.”
A spokeswoman for the mayor said the city is reviewing the complaint.
“The City respects the rights of our homeless New Yorkers and has put in place a new comprehensive plan to reduce homelessness,” said Monica Klein.
Gothamist: NYPD Accused Of Shuffling Homeless People Around The City Without Legal Justification
Police officers order homeless men and women to “move along” from city parks and sidewalks on a daily basis, in violation of a city law that prohibits profiling based on housing status, according to a complaint filed today against the city by the New York Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the advocacy group Picture The Homeless.
“They’re always telling us to move down the block,” said Jazmin Berges, 32, a formerly-homeless PTH organizer. “It’s different when you’re a person in a three piece suit and you’re sitting in a park. If there’s a group nearby with carts and handbags, they’re targeted.”
When a traditional arrest can’t be justified, many homeless men and women say they are threatened with trips to a hospital or psychiatric ward in handcuffs. The NYPD has also been known to confiscate and crush personal property.
New York Daily News: “Advocates urge NYPD Inspector General to investigate treatment of city homeless”
The NYPD Inspector General should investigate the policing of homeless New Yorkers, advocacy groups say.
“Over the past two years and especially the past several months, a number of documented incidents and reports, together with pronouncements by top government officials, raise serious concerns about whether homeless people in the city are being targeted with abusive and discriminatory treatment by the NYPD — simply due to their housing status,” they wrote.
New York Post: “Homeless men sue city for kicking them off the streets”
Three homeless men are suing the city for rousting them from a street encampment this year, saying they are owed $1,515 for lost personal possessions — and an unspecified amount for the emotional trauma.
“I’m praying to God because I don’t believe in Mayor de Blasio,” said Jesus Morales, 42, who has lived on the street since 1999.
New York Daily News: “Cops, sanitation workers destroying personal possessions of homeless, charges NYCLU”
“Homelessness is a tragedy, not a crime,” said NYCLU executive director Donna Lieberman. The de Blasio administration has no right to treat their possessions “like garbage,” she added.
Pix11 Morning News: “Do the homeless have a case in lawsuit against NYC?” [VIDEO]
Just days after Mayor de Blasio announced the city’s new HOME-STATE program to help the homeless, three homeless men filed claim against the city for harassment, after being told to move and having important items thrown away. Attorney Deborah Blum, executive director of the NYCLU, Donna Lieberman and Picture The Homeless representative William Burnett talk more about the case.
New York Times: “Mayor de Blasio, Facing Homelessness Crisis, Issues Plan to Fight It”
Mr. Parks, a member of Picture the Homeless, an advocacy group, said that the mayor kept rolling out initiatives, but that he had not seen results. “I hear about $25 million for this, $20 million for something else,” Mr. Parks said. “Where is it?”
Gothamist: “HOME-STAT: De Blasio’s New Homelessness Plan Worries Some Advocates”
“The Mayor and the police commissioner are trying to show people they’re doing something, to get the public off the back, but there’s nothing to it … except more surveillance and more police targeting homeless African-Americans and Hispanics,” [PTH member Floyd] Parks charged. “We need housing. It’s really simple.”
Amsterdam News: “Homeless People Protest Mayor de Blasio ‘Attack'”
“Picture the Homeless says 125th Street has been the epicenter for abusive policing, with aggressive “sweeps” of homeless people occurring up to three times a day, and cops telling homeless people they’re acting under orders from the mayor.”
New York Daily News: “Protesters in Harlem Push de Blasio to Create Housing for the Homeless”
“They’re running us back and forth… And now what? You can’t make us disappear,” said Christopher Parker, who has been homeless for several years.
Al Jazeera America: “New York City Homeless Rally Against Closure of Urban Campsites”
“Cops have always messed with us, but in the past month it’s gotten really bad,” said a homeless veteran named Sarge in a statement released Wednesday by Picture the Homeless.”
New York Post: “Homeless Launch Twitter War Against de Blasio”
“They may not have roofs, beds or running water — but that didn’t stop a group of angry homeless people from waging a high-tech hashtag war against Mayor Bill de Blasio. The vagrants launched their unlikely cyberattack Wednesday, as they protested the mayor’s homeless policies with signs urging people to “Tweet @billdeblasio” using “#handsoffthehomeless.””
New York Observer: “Indigent Advocates to de Blasio: ‘Hands Off The Homeless'”
Chanting “hands off the homeless” in the frequent gathering spot for indigent individuals, the demonstrators alleged Mr. de Blasio has allowed and even encouraged the NYPD to badger and intimidate people living on the street. Several said the treatment has gotten worse in recent weeks, after Mr. de Blasio has vowed to clear the 80 encampments around the city—a pledge the demonstrators said was a betrayal of the progressive principles he campaigned on in 2013.
Socialist Worker: “Persecuting the ‘Undesirables'”
“… The general approach seems to be geared toward promoting gentrification in the central corridor of East Harlem, rather than solving the problems of the homeless, residents of the community or those coming to the neighborhood for treatment.”
Metro NY: “Homeless Advocates Have High Hopes of de Blasio, NYPD During Papal Visit”
“”Bratton doesn’t have a very good history on [homelessness],” said William Burnett, a self-identified Roman Catholic and organizer with Harlem-based nonprofit Picture the Homeless. “But hopefully he has a good grasp of what the Holy See hopes to do during his visit.””
“Ask The Homeless What They Need” – New York Times – February, 2015
Opinion piece by PTH board member William S. Burnett. “If you want to solve homelessness, there’s an easy way to do it: ask homeless people themselves! More often than not policies are created without input from homeless people, and as a result they are ineffective and wasteful.
“Activists Rally Against ‘Broken Windows'” – Amsterdam News – December, 2014
“I’m protesting because I’m a person of color, and I don’t appreciate the way people behind the scenes get to pick and choose when and how I have rights,” added Picture the Homeless member Darlene Bryant.
Op-Ed: “Stop Treating the Homeless Like Criminals” – New York Daily News – August, 2014
By PTH members Jean Rice & Marcus Moore. “The de Blasio administration made good initial steps last week in announcing programs to help homeless families leave shelters and move into their own apartments. But actions by the NYPD targeted at homeless and poor New Yorkers through its discriminatory “broken windows” policing are troubling, as they criminalize homelessness and poverty.”
“Cops Told to Stop Raiding Homeless Shelters, Bratton Says” – New York Daily News – June, 2014
- NYPD Harassment Stories: Do Cops Unfairly Target the Homeless? – Gawker – October, 2014
- De Blasio’s Doomed Housing Plan – Jacobin – October, 2014
- Forcing Your Old Abercrombie & Fitch Clothes on People is a Bad Idea – Bitch Magazine – May 15, 2013
- Rage in Brooklyn: East Flatbush Reacts to Police Shooting of Kimani Grey – Amsterdam News – March 13, 2013
- Annual City Tally of Homeless has Bronx Advocates Split – New York Daily News – January 25, 2013
- Gleaners of Cans, Working Overtime – The New York Times – January 1, 2013
- Remembering the Homeless Who Died This Year, and the Mass Graves Where Many End Up – Gothamist – December 19, 2012
- Photo of N.Y. Cop Aiding Homeless Man Draws Bittersweet Reaction – The L.A. Times – November 29, 2012
- Cop Gives Boots to Homeless Man, Becomes Internet Sensation – Salon.com – November 29, 2012
- Struggles, New and Old, Emerge in Sandy’s Wake- Waging Nonviolence – November 26, 2012
- As Sandy Creates Thousands of New Homeless, Homeless Advocacy Groups try and Draw Attention to those Who Suffered Before the Storm – The New York Observer – November 16, 2012
- The Storm is Still Taking a Toll – The Socialist Worker – November 13, 2012
- Homeless, Not Helpless – Sojourners Magazine – December, 2012
- Stop-Frisk Madness Must End – New York Daily News – September 30, 2012
- Why Can’t We Just Convert Vacant Buildings Into Housing for the Homeless? – The Atlantic – Cities Blog – June 28, 2012
- Intenta evitar que le quiten su casa – El Diario/La Prensa, July 29,2012 [“Trying to keep them from taking away his home”]
- Marchers Demand Justice for Ramarley Graham, The Nation, July 26, 2012
- Homeless Activists Sleep Outside Erik Martin Dilan’s Office Demanding Vacant Building Survey – Village Voice, March 16, 2012
- Stop and Frisk Protests Taking Over the Block – Amsterdam News, May 31, 2012
- Critics Assail NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Tactics – Wall Street, February 14, 2012
- NYPD’s stop-and-frisk hits new record – Associated Press, February 14, 2012
- For the Love of Justice: A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Frederick Douglass – Huffington Post, February 14, 2012
- Councilman: NYPD’s Stop And Frisk Rationalization Is “Bullsh*t” – Gothamist, February 14, 2012
- NYCLU Analysis Reveals NYPD Street Stops Soar 600% Over Course of Bloomberg Administration – February 14, 2012
- Appeal made to city councilman on plight of homeless – News 12, February 11, 2012
- En NYC sí hay sitio para tanta gente – El Diario-La Prensa, 7 de Febrero de 2012
- New York Has More Vacant Buildings and Lots Than It Has Homeless People – Village Voice, January 27, 2012
- Homeless People & Professors Collaborate – Global Movements, Urban Struggles/WBAI Radio, January 26, 2012
- Thousands of vacant buildings across city could house homeless, new report based on volunteer count claims – New York Daily News, January 26, 2012
- Homeless Fix Can Be Found in Vacant Buildings, Lots: Report – NPR, January 26, 2012
- Report: “Why Not House the Homeless in Vacant Buildings?” – Gothamist, January 26, 2012
- NYC Homeless Crisis: Rehab Abandoned Buildings to House Them, Says Report – International Business Times, January 26, 2012
- Empty Future: Why Vacant Buildings in Bed-Stuy Stay Unoccupied – Brooklyn Link, January 11, 2012
Press Archives
For a full historical perspective on our work, here are some highlights of press coveage dating back to 2002!
Most of these are on websites we don’t control, so please report dead links to [email protected]
2011
- Chosen Images – The Jewish Daily Forward, December 22, 2011
- Community Groups Work with OWS -The Nation, December 9, 2011
- Hundreds Occupy East New York For OWS Foreclosure Tour – Gothamist, December 7, 2011
- Occupy Our Homes – Truthout, December 7, 2011
- Occupy Wall Street Re-Occupies Foreclosed Home in East New York: A Report From the Scene – Village Voice, December 7, 2011
- Bringing the Occupation Home in New York City – MetroFocus, December 7, 2011
- The Next Frontier for Occupy: Protesters Take Over Vacant Homes, Rally to Protect Those Facing Eviction and Foreclosure – Alternet, December 6, 2011
- Jackman details plan to reclaim vacant spaces across City – The Occupier, Dec./Jan. 2011
- NYC 3: Training Day – Spinning Plates, November 16, 2011
- Making Safer Spaces: Occupy Wall Street Addresses Questions of Security at Zuccotti Park – Truthout, November 6, 2011
- Hart Island Cemetery: City Council Reviews Operations Of New York’s Potter’s Field – Huffington Post, October 31, 2011
- Barron Decries Housing Subsidy Axe – Black Star News, September 16, 2011
- Supreme Court Ruling to End Subsidized Housing Program -The Epoch Times, September 16, 2011
- Advocates Speak Out Against End of NYC Rent Subsidy Program – WFUV News, September 15, 2011
- Panhandler on Fifth Avenue Wins Respite From Arrests – The New York Times, August 29, 2011
- Eviction Blockade for Longtime Bed-Stuy Resident Keeps City Marshals at Bay – Bed-Stuy Patch, August 19, 2011
- Protest speaks for 50 million people: ‘Don’t cut food stamps!’ – Workers World, August 14, 2011
- Protest flails ‘dictatorship of bankers’ – Workers World, August 14, 2011
- Sí hay sitio para tanta gente – El Diario-La Prensa, 31 de Julio 2011 (PDF)
- Homeless Advocates Protest Treatment by Police – DNA Info, July 26, 2011
- Homeless advocates rally at Penn Station for city to back off sleeping in public places – New York Daily News, July 26, 2011
- Don’t Wake Us Up, Say Homeless – The Epoch Times, July 25, 2011
- New houses on Jerome Street left to rot, and other mysteries of East New York – Capital New York, July 14, 2011
- Homeless Advocacy Group Searches For Suitable Shelters – NY 1 News, July 12, 2011
- Protesters Reject NYC budget deal, Call City Hall protest – Worker’s World, June 28, 2011 (PDF)
- Picture the Homeless and Hunter College to identify vacant properties – New York Amsterdam News, June 23, 2011 (PDF)
- ‘Bloombergville’ brings world attention to massive cuts, layoffs – Workers World, June 22, 2011 (PDF)
- In ‘Bloombergville,’ Budget Protesters Sleep In – The New York Times, June 15, 2011 (PDF)
- New Yorkers Erect “Bloombergville” Tent Camp Against Budget Cuts – Democracy Now! June 15, 2011 (PDF)
- Brooklyn Vacancy Count Report – WBAI Evening News, June 14, 2011
- Scouting poor-people locations for Mayor Bloomberg, not that he asked – Capital New York, June 10, 2011
- Bronx activists: ‘Defeat Bloomberg cutbacks!’ – Workers World , June 10, 2011
- Bronx Homeless Advocates Hope to Reveal Extent of Vacant Property in the City – Bronx News Network, June 7, 2011
- Give Us Shelters: Bronx advocacy group joins Hunter College to seek vacant property to ease homeless crunch – New York Daily News, June 2, 2011 (PDF)
- Homeless Advocates Take Inventory Of Vacant City Properties – NY 1 News, June 2, 2011 (PDF)
- Picture the Homeless and Hunter College Launch Bronx Vacant Property Count – BoogieDowner, June 2, 2011 (PDF)
- Picture the Homeless, Hunter College count vacant Manhattan properties – Amsterdam News, May 26, 2011
- Homeless Advocacy Group To Count Manhattan’s Vacant Properties – DNAinfo, May 19, 2011 (PDF)
- Picture the Homeless challenges perceptions of marginalized – Voices That Must Be Heard, May 6, 2011
- Alternative Spring Break: Met Council and Picture the Homeless – Dyson College, March 18, 2011
2010
- No Vacancy: Why Empty Condos Aren’t Becoming Affordable Housing – City Limits Magazine, December 28, 2010
- How Homelessness Became A Crime – National Radio Project, December 7, 2010
- Building census to aid homeless wrong tack, says Quinn – New York Daily News, September 30, 2010
- Bronx Death Stirs Fears of Homeless Attacks – City Limits, September 15, 2010
- Protest against NYPD arrests of the homeless – El Diario/La Prensa (translation), July 2010
- Critican a Policía por arrestos de desamparados – El Diario/La Prensa, July 2010
- We are not criminals, homeless New Yorkers tell cops in protest outside NYPD headquarters – New York Daily News, June 15, 2010 (PDF)
- A Summons for the Commissioner – The New York Times, June 15, 2010
- You don’t know squatting: A movement returns – Salon, May 12, 2010
- Homeless, Nameless, and Honored – City Limits, March 25, 2010
2009
- Housing is a Human Right Project Highlights Picture the Homeless’ Campaign Targeting Chase – The Indypendent, December 8. 2009
- Chasing JPMorgan: Picture the Homeless Takes Aim at Chase Bank – The Indypendent, December 3. 2009
- Amid Homeless Surge, Are Solutions In Sight? – City Limits, November 23, 2009
- Counting Vacant Property – Gotham Gazette, October 14th, 2009
- Homeless in Hungary – The Indypendent, September 9, 2009 (PDF)
- Cities Tolerate Homeless Camps – Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2009
- Homeless “Tent City” in Harlem Ends in Arrests – Inter Press Service, August 2, 2009
- New York City Makes the Homeless Disappear – Colorlines, July 31, 2009
- Advocates make a temporary ‘home’ to make a point – The Villager, July 29, 2009
- 10 NYC Homeless Activists Arrested at Encampment – Democracy Now, July 27, 2009
- Pols Stand With “Tent City Ten” – Gotham Gazette, July 24th, 2009
- Harlem Tent City Protest – New York Daily News, July 24, 2009 (PDF)
- Cops Stop Occupation of JPMorgan Chase’s Vacant Lot, Arrest 9 or More – The Village Voice, July 23, 2009
- Homeless Advocates Arrested – Gotham Gazette, July 23rd, 2009
- Housing advocates set up a tent city in Harlem – Free Speech Radio News, July 23, 2009
- Homeless Activists Occupy Empty Lot In East Harlem – Gothamist, July 23, 2009
- Homeless Activists Take Over JPMorgan’s Vacant Lot in E. Harlem – The Village Voice, July 23, 2009
- Ten Things You Need to Know to Live on the Streets – The Nation, July 15, 2009
- Activists Arrested After Occupying East Harlem Lot – The New York Times, July 23, 2009
- Unlocking the Apartment ‘Warehouse’ – Gotham Gazette, July 2009
- Advocates for Homeless Say Rent Subsidies Insufficient – WNYC Radio, July 15, 2009
- Harlem tent city sprouts up in effort to get more affordable housing – New York Daily News, June 24, 2009
- YUEI: Doubling Up – The Brian Lehrer Show, June 23, 2009
- Squatting, Then and Now – The Brian Lehrer Show, May 27, 2009
- Decrying Homeless Policies, New York Housing Activists Occupy Vacant Building – Democracy Now, March 20, 2009
- East Harlem Residents, Housing Advocates Rally Outside Vacant Building – The Indypendent, March 19, 2009 (PDF)
- Searching the Subways for the Mayor – The New York Beacon, Feb 27, 2009
2008
- Vacancy Reversal: Legislation Seeks to Ban Warehousing – The Indypendent, April 25, 2008 (PDF)
2007
- Solidarity with the Poor – Response, February 2007
2006
- Best reason to remember the indigent dead – Village Voice, 2006
- A Chance to Be Mourned – The New York Times, November 12, 2006
- Faith Leaders Get a True Picture of the Homeless – Caribbean Life, October 31, 2006
- Picture the Homeless Members Address Alumni at Union Theological Seminary – Greenwhich Village Gazette October 23, 2006
- Picture the Homeless Honors Fallen Brothers and Sisters – Greenwich Village Gazette, March 17, 2006
- To Give or Not to Give, This is NOT the Question – Poverty Initiative, January/February 2006
2005
- Giving Numbers a Name – Newsday, August 14, 2005
- Canners Seek Redemption – Indy Media, April 22, 2005
- Canners’ Crusade – City Limits, April 18, 2005
2004
- Hart Island ‘Memory Card’ for Louis Haggins Jr. – Nov 29, 2004
- On the Street, on the Screen: Making the Homeless Real – The New York Times, October 3, 2004 (PDF)
2003
- City Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Over Homeless, Lawyers Say – The New York Times, April 1, 2003
2002
- Longest Night of the Year Marked By Picture the Homeless – Greenwich Village Gazette, December 27, 2002
- Cops Rip Mike on Homeless – New York Post, November 14, 2002
- Anthony Williams: “Homeless People Are Worth Big Money” – Gotham Gazette, January 11, 2002
