Articles

Fourth Encuentro

A Reportback on the “New York Encuentro for Humanity and Against Neoliberalism”
By Layan Fuleihan. Originally from New York City Indymedia.

On December 4, 2011, Movement for Justice in El Barrio, a grassroots, immigrant-led organization that fights against gentrification and displacement in East Harlem—fights for social justice—hosted the “New York Encuentro for Humanity and Against Neoliberalism.” It was a gathering of about 350 people, of people from all over New York City and different states, young, old, men, women, and children. Many people from Occupy Wall Street were dispersed among community organizers, students, and all the other interested, curious, and passionate people attending.

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Message from Raul Zibechi

Message from Uruguayan writer Raul Zibechi to the New York Encuentro for Humanity & Against Neoliberalism

Sisters and Brothers:

We are living in very special moments in lives of those from below. In these years the possibility of building a better world, one in which we may live with dignity, is at play. The risks, however, are enormous. Everything suggests that the powerful have opted to conserve their privileges, even if it means jeopardizing the continuation of the human species on this planet.

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Third Encuentro

Community activists struggle against gentrification in Harlem
Originally from Free Speech Radio News.

For the past six years in New York, a group made up mostly of Mexican immigrants has been challenging slumlord conditions and gentrification in East Harlem. The group is called Movement for Justice in El Barrio and part of their grassroots organizing has been to connect with communities across the globe who are struggling with the same issues of displacement. The group recently brought together community activists from across the city who are fighting gentrification. Participants from South Africa, Mexico and Haiti also joined the gathering.

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Here Comes the Neighborhood
By Michael Gould-Wartofsky. Originally from Huffington Post.

Here, amid the glittering ruins of globalized gentrification's gilded age, a kind of glocal tenants' movement is taking shape, at once locally rooted and globally connective.

On April 6, 2008, a gathering of global dimensions was afoot on the steps of New York's City Hall. You may have missed it at the time. You may have been hard-pressed to find it on the news.

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A Convergence of Dreams: The Third Encuentro for Dignity and Against Displacement
By RJ Maccani. Originally from Desinformemonos magazine.

April 2, 2010

The invitation reads, “We propose a coming together, a convergence, to which we can all bring: our histories, what makes us difference, and our dreams.”

Over 40 organizations were represented at the Encuentro in East Harlem, New York – Photo DR 2010 RJ Maccani

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Zapatista-Inspired Rally Held in New York City; Aims to Fight Gentrification
By Paola Reyes. Originally from Latin America News Dispatch.

NEW YORK – Over 120 people and 40 organizations participated in the Third Encounter for Dignity and Against Gentrification hosted by the Movement for Justice in el Barrio this past Sunday in East Harlem, New York. The meeting, referred to by the Spanish term encuentro, brought together activists from places as far as California, Puerto Rico, and Maryland.

“The objective of this third encuentro was to connect our struggle. Our struggle doesn’t have boundaries,” said Filiberto Hernandez, a member of the Movement for Justice in el Barrio.

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El Barrio is Everywhere
By Richard Vallejo. Originally from The Nor'easter.

On Feb. 28, more than 200 people, representing over 40 organizations, gathered in the basement of a community center on E. 116 St. in East Harlem. From throughout East Harlem, across New York City, and as far away as Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, they came together to share and unite their struggles against a common enemy: neoliberal global capitalism and its displacement of the poor, the invisible. The message was clear: “Our land, our homes are not for sale.” The event was called the Third NYC Encuentro for Dignity and Against Displacement, hosted by Movement for Justice in El Barrio.

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Second Encuentro

Voices of the Other New York
By Michael Gould-Wartofsky. Originally from Z Magazine/La Revista Z.

Dispatch from the Second Encuentro for Dignity and Against Displacement in El Barrio

Amid the global financial crisis, the private equity companies that once threatened to swallow up the last of Manhattans affordable housing stock may be on the road to mass extinction. And amid the political crisis in Albany, the politicians who promised rent reform may be on the road to nowhere.

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Fifth Encuentro

Letter from “FIERCE” to the Fifth Encuentro for Humanity and Against Displacement

The FIERCE community joins other people, organizations, and communities in resisting displacement in all of its forms and in supporting the Encuentro for Humanity and Against Displacement!

FIERCE and Queer, Trans, and Gender Nonconforming Youth of Color in the streets of New York and across the land and circling the globe rise up with you in the noble work of creatively resisting false borders, dehumanization, separation of families, labor exploitation, gentrification of our communities, and the displacement of any human life!

We join you in calling on others of good heart and conscience, who are committed to justice today and every day to follow this one!

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Letter from “CAAAV - Organizing Asian Communities” to the Fifth Encuentro for Humanity and Against Displacement

CAAAV's Chinatown Tenants Union has been fighting against displacement and gentrification for more than 10 years and we are very honored to have such a strong allyship with Movimiento por Justicia del Barrio.

We admire Movimiento's work in building true grassroots leadership and fighting for justice not only in our backyard in New York City, but also international justice because all our struggles are connected.

Our members often look back fondly on our exchange back in 2014; we continue to be inspired by the women leaders of Movimiento and in particular, their outspoken children who spoke up eloquently in both languages (English/Spanish) about the need to unite and fight against bad landlords and a government that facilitates displacement of our low-income immigrant communities. We hope to continue working with you to build the power of our communities.

En solidaridad!

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