Hands Off NYC: Community Groups Successfully End ICE’s Use Of Parking Garage In City
By Hands Off NYC Photos: Wikimedia Commons NEW YORK, NY — After more than 100 New Yorkers rallied outside a West Village parking garage last Thursday, the garage operator told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents they can no longer park at their 18 Morton Street garage. “As soon as Chelsea Neighbors United made us aware that these nine vehicles were parked at Morton Street, we took immediate action and these vehicles are no longer parked with Metropolis.” wrote Nick Rosen-Wachs, the VP of Communications for Metropolis Technologies, in an email sent to the group. Organizers applauded the decision by the company. “Because of our demonstration, Metropolis did the right thing and stood up for our neighbors.” said Jamie Bauer, from the group Rise and Resist. Activists report that at least one of the oversized white vans seen at 18 Morton St. was previously parked at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 garage–where dozens of ICE vehicles have been parked since 2004. After community pressure, Hudson River Park opted not to renew their parking contract with ICE when it expires at the end of June. Now the Department of Homeland Security is on the hunt for up to 150 new parking spots in the area. “Wherever ICE goes, wherever they try to park, we’re going to find them and make sure the community knows. And how are corporations meeting this moment? It’s our right to know- are they standing with ICE, or with the people?” said NYC-DSA Immigrant Justice Working Group (IJWG) member Laura Cheatham. NYC-DSA IJWG is urging Hudson River Park to “make amends” for their previous contracts with ICE, by formally passing a sanctuary policy, redirecting ICE revenues to immigrant groups, among other demands. Organizers say that New Yorkers are furious about the reports of ICE parking in the city. “We are really angry that ICE is parking in our neighborhoods and kidnapping our neighbors. Our commitment is clear: No Parking for ICE Anytime, Anywhere.” said Trudy Rudnick, an organizer with Chelsea Neighbors United. The burgeoning movement scrutinizing ICE’s parking contracts and presence in NYC is part of a larger citywide movement made up of neighborhood groups, unions, and community organizations under the Hands Off NYC umbrella. “When our neighbors are organized, our neighborhoods become safer,” says Hannah Stauss, Co-Director of Hands Off NYC. “By building our collective power and awareness at the neighborhood level, and engaging in effective nonviolent resistance like we saw on Thursday, we are making strides to shrink ICE’s foothold in our city. People power works!”
Black News 
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK, NY — After more than 100 New Yorkers rallied outside a West Village parking garage last Thursday, the garage operator told Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents they can no longer park at their 18 Morton Street garage.
“As soon as Chelsea Neighbors United made us aware that these nine vehicles were parked at Morton Street, we took immediate action and these vehicles are no longer parked with Metropolis.” wrote Nick Rosen-Wachs, the VP of Communications for Metropolis Technologies, in an email sent to the group.
Organizers applauded the decision by the company. “Because of our demonstration, Metropolis did the right thing and stood up for our neighbors.” said Jamie Bauer, from the group Rise and Resist.
Activists report that at least one of the oversized white vans seen at 18 Morton St. was previously parked at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 garage–where dozens of ICE vehicles have been parked since 2004.
After community pressure, Hudson River Park opted not to renew their parking contract with ICE when it expires at the end of June. Now the Department of Homeland Security is on the hunt for up to 150 new parking spots in the area.
“Wherever ICE goes, wherever they try to park, we’re going to find them and make sure the community knows. And how are corporations meeting this moment? It’s our right to know- are they standing with ICE, or with the people?” said NYC-DSA Immigrant Justice Working Group (IJWG) member Laura Cheatham.
NYC-DSA IJWG is urging Hudson River Park to “make amends” for their previous contracts with ICE, by formally passing a sanctuary policy, redirecting ICE revenues to immigrant groups, among other demands.
Organizers say that New Yorkers are furious about the reports of ICE parking in the city. “We are really angry that ICE is parking in our neighborhoods and kidnapping our neighbors. Our commitment is clear: No Parking for ICE Anytime, Anywhere.” said Trudy Rudnick, an organizer with Chelsea Neighbors United.
The burgeoning movement scrutinizing ICE’s parking contracts and presence in NYC is part of a larger citywide movement made up of neighborhood groups, unions, and community organizations under the Hands Off NYC umbrella. “When our neighbors are organized, our neighborhoods become safer,” says Hannah Stauss, Co-Director of Hands Off NYC. “By building our collective power and awareness at the neighborhood level, and engaging in effective nonviolent resistance like we saw on Thursday, we are making strides to shrink ICE’s foothold in our city. People power works!”
