For immediate release (2/18/99)
Contact: Hyun Lee (212) 473-6485 x 100; (917) 556-4563; <caaav@dti.net>
provided through OPENAIR-MARKET NET
"We will not Move."
In the midst of Chinese New Year celebrations, Giuliani's administration is getting ready to illegally evict the vendors at Dragon Gate market in Chinatown. Without due process, the Parks Department and Mayor Guiliani's office plan to bull-doze the entire market by 5pm on Friday February 19, eradicating the livelihood of over 20 vendors and their families. The City claims to be removing these vendors for "structural" violations. But the violent and sudden removal of vendors is without due process; they did not properly receive notices from the Parks Department regarding violations, and the City has not served them with a notice of eviction. The removal of these vendors is therefore nothing short of a police raid.
But the vendors are fighting back. They are now in the process of securing a court injunction. And, come tomorrow night, they will not leave the market. Chinatown community members and their outside supporters are gathering for a demonstration tomorrow afternoon. They will resist this racist eviction by occupying the market, preventing the police from tearing it down.
Please join with these vendors as they fight for their livelihood, but more importantly their civil and human rights. This illegal eviction is clearly part of Guiliani's broader plan to sweep poor and working people off the streets of our city.
"We work hard to make this market a place for the community and to support our families. We do not understand why the city wants to kick us out and make us homeless and jobless." --Mr. Lin,
Dragon Gate Market vendor
Demonstration is Friday, February 19, 1999
Time: 4:30 pm
Place: Dragon Gate Market at Roosevelt Park,
Grand St. & Attorney
[right next to (D) train Grand St. subway stop]