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There’s so many layers to this Milan Taylor shit. The worst, of course, being his abuse of many young women for years. But also the way he operated as a political player... https://twitter.com/t_ameraa/status/1344730096821800960
He portrayed himself as THE voice of the community, co-opting the language of racial and economic justice while doing the bidding of neoliberal politicians and pushing their policies and development plans. He played this role for @DrichardsQns for many years.
For three years, I was lead organizer on a campaign to win a Community Benefits Agreement for Arverne East - 80 acres of vacant, city-owned oceanfront land, the largest in HPDs inventory. We were a grassroots group that coalesced after Hurricane Sandy traumatized our neighborhood
We found it sus that so soon after the storm, when the community was still reeling, plans to develop this land by for-profit, non-union developers sprang into action. Felt like #DisasterCapitalism so we took it on as our campaign. We wanted to ensure the community was centered.
We knocked hundreds of doors, held weekly public meetings and CBA teach-ins, surveyed thousands of residents on their needs and priorities, countless one-on-ones. Every meeting, a full meal was served and childcare provided. Building a strong community was part of our vision.
We got support from so many amazing folks. Hunter College City Planning Masters Program dedicated a semester to supporting the campaign w/ research and resources. Consortium for Worker Ed helped navigate labor concerns. @UrbanJustice was our legal counsel.
After a couple yrs of diligent work, a core team AND public meeting every week (my husband used to email me that he was lonely & can we schedule a meeting to discuss), we had a solid working document. We needed the CM, @DrichardsQns to pressure the developers to agree to a CBA.
For a long time, Donovan ignored us til he couldn’t anymore. Then he tried to co-opt us - got Ron Moelis of L&M development to offer me a well-paying gig as “community liaison”. I declined. Finally he gave in to community pressure and publicly supported a legally binding CBA
Richards held a public event to announce his support of a CBA. Here’s me talking at it (you see Milan & Donovan to my right).
http://queensledger.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Community+outreach+for+development+of+80-acre+Arverne+East+%20&id=25190727
http://queensledger.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Community+outreach+for+development+of+80-acre+Arverne+East+%20&id=25190727
Next step was to convene a coalition to be signatory to the contract. So we did that. Had a dozen orgs. The CBA would include green building, dedicated community space, deep affordability using local AMI, local hire + union labor (we rejected the the false choice of either/or)
I was elected co-chair of the coalition and we started weekly meetings. Right around this time is when Milan was arrested for assaulting Riana, an RYTF member we had worked with. We sent these emails to RYTF.
Wanna know what happened next? Milan showed up at the coalition meeting, walked in late and sat his ass right down at the table. He had a couple young women with him and two dudes who came in and stood AT ATTENTION on either side of the room. He showed up with “goons”, guys.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting due to this fuckery. Next week, Milan did the same thing. Then said it’s all good, he’ll start his own coalition. He meant it too, cuz he had the support of @DrichardsQns , who always regarded us as a thorn in his side anyway.
Next thing I know, coalition members are getting calls from Richards coercing them to leave the coalition. He called Bishop Taylor, the CEO of @UrbanUpbound_NY and promised him a contract if he pulled out of the coalition. He did.
(He also told him that I wasn’t from the community. Meanwhile, my grandparents came to this country on a boat and went straight to 68th St. in Arverne. My fam been here ever since, I’m raising my own kids here. And Donovan lives in Laurelton. But that’s here nor there!)
Anyway, the city funding didn’t come through for the development. The whole thing got shelved. I was dealing with chronic anxiety from all the corruption and weird personal attacks. I went to @NEWStrongWomen & my life changed. I’m a proud @IBEWLocalUnion3 electrician now.
Last year, I was at a community board 14 meeting re. the proposed development of the Peninsula Hospital site. Saw Milan send up one kid after another to speak in support of the plan for high density housing and nothing else.
Another of Donovan’s pet projects. Meanwhile, there’s broad consensus across the peninsula that we need SO MUCH ELSE: schools, a hospital, jobs, recreation.
But one kid after another got up to read prepared statements. Who could dis these kids, brilliant & beautiful as they are?
But one kid after another got up to read prepared statements. Who could dis these kids, brilliant & beautiful as they are?
But it’s hard not to connect the dots and feel like these kids were getting used, while Milan enjoyed developer kickbacks. In the same way that Milan uses women. Dude’s a sociopath. And elected officials who knew this are complicit.
I guess the point is we need to be ever vigilant w/ those in positions of power. Ever discerning about the decisions being made in & for our communities.
Where there’s one type of abuse, there’s probably more.
Where there’s one type of abuse, there’s probably more.
Here’s an early article on our CBA campaign. There were challenges, but there was SO MUCH LOVE. Shout to Rockaway Wildfire and all my homies who keep the fire in their hearts. https://indypendent.org/2014/09/we-want-to-show-whats-at-stake-rockaway-residents-demand-climate-action/
I guess this is what happens when I wake up with no hangover on New Years Day! A lot of old stuff is coming up. I’ve never told these stories. Feels cathartic.
