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Homeless Advocates Protest Outside NY Post HQ After Tabloid's Critical Article
By
Carrie Dennis
Published Mar 29, 2012
Modified Mar 29, 2012
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By
Carrie Dennis
Published Mar 29, 2012
Modified Mar 29, 2012
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Recently, the NY Post reported on the "breaking and entering" practices of Bronx-based non-profit organization Picture the Homeless. The tabloid followed Picture the Homeless member, Andres Perez, as he taught a course in "homesteading" at Arlington Village, an East New York housing complex. The article questioned the group's funding, while also characterizing NYC homeless as prostitutes and drug addicts. Today, homeless advocates held a press conference outside the Post's office, slamming the tabloid while demanding the "real story" of homelessness in NYC be told.
Picture the Homeless Board Member Ryan Gibbs blasted the tabloid for its "history of racist reactionary news coverage." The Post article focused on the fact that upwards of $240,000 of taxpayer dollars in the last five years has funded Picture the Homeless, and that money is going towards classes that "preach squatting." But homeless advocates say this number is small change when compared with the $3 billion NYC has spent in the last four years on a shelter system that "warehouses" occupants rather than focusing on housing.
Gibbs explained how the Post article never mentioned the community outreach programs Picture the Homeless is involved in, the organization's goal of educating the public about homelessness, nor the "ridiculous rents" that prevent New Yorkers from affordable housing. He went on to claim that the system is maintained in this manner "so that landlords and politicians can get rich" and "the NY Post is their lackey." But Picture the Homeless isn't bitter about the bad press. Executive Director Lynn Lewis told us, "We don't feel defensive. This is an opportunity to talk about the achievements of Picture the Homeless. We do not advocate criminal activity, but laws change when people organize."
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