August 30, 2023 (NEW YORK, NY) – The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless issued the following joint statement in response to recent xenophobic rallies protesting temporary shelters for new arrivals: “It is saddening, disturbing, and outraging to see the inflammatory and hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from those who oppose temporary shelters for migrants at the former St. John Villa Academy site on Staten Island, Floyd Bennett Field, and other facilities. We’re also deeply disappointed to see elected officials, who know better, promote the unfounded and blatant lie that these migrants pose a threat to the communities that host them. “The City has a legal and moral obligation to provide emergency shelter to all those who need it, regardless of where they come from, and this enshrined duty extends to every corner of New York City. “All New Yorkers must come together and welcome our newest neighbors – fellow human beings who have managed to escape deplorable conditions that many of us cannot even fathom – with humanity, tolerance, and aid. “Bigotry has no place in our city, and time will judge these rallies with the disdain and scorn that they deserve.” Background:Earlier this month, Legal Aid, the Coalition for the Homeless and more than 100 other organizations from around New York State representing advocates, services providers, and faith groups issued a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to develop a comprehensive statewide decompression and resettlement plan for the new arrivals and to immediately prioritize deploying state resources to ensure sufficient temporary housing capacity for new arrivals and other unhoused New Yorkers. Last month, Legal Aid and the Coalition for the Homeless also called on the City to advance a variety of reforms to increase shelter capacity.The next court conference in Callahan v. Carey is scheduled for Monday, September 18, 2023, at 2:15 PM before New York State Supreme Court Judge Erika Edwards. The courtroom is located at 60 Centre Street – Part 10, Room 412 in Manhattan. Legal Aid and others will hold a media availability for press outside the courthouse following the conference. Please RSVP with Redmond Haskins at rhaskins@legal-aid.org if you plan to attend.
