New Yorkers again protested: demand an extension of the moratorium on evictions

Demonstrators storm the offices of homeowners' lawyers to protest the evictions as the moratorium in New York ended August 5 evening and about 14 families are at risk of becoming homeless. Writes about it Daily Mail.

Dozens of New Yorkers marched through the streets of Brooklyn on Wednesday, August 5, stopping in front of the entrances to two law firms and Brooklyn Borough Hall. They call for a ban on the eviction of debtors and the abolition of rent in the city.

The demonstration took place just hours before the expiration of the eviction moratorium in New York.

Fears that many residents will not be able to maintain a roof over their heads are growing. A study published in late July found that nearly half of New York City renters are unable to pay their rent.

Fears are compounded by the fact that unemployed Americans lost an additional $ 600 per week to unemployment benefits.

A separate protest has taken place in Manhattan, calling for an extension of the fringe benefits many need.

New Yorkers have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, as the state, once the epicenter of the virus, has experienced longer and tighter isolation than others, and thousands of people lost their jobs overnight when factories closed in March.

On Wednesday, August 5, masked protesters gathered in downtown Brooklyn with signs “Stop Eviction” and “Cancel Rent”.

Several posters urged New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo to expand tenant protection in the city.

The demonstration began at the Brooklyn Court and then proceeded through the streets of the borough. Protesters stormed security and police to enter the buildings of two law firms, as well as the office of New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh.

People chanted, "No homeowners, no police officers, all evictions must stop."

Thousands of tenants across New York are at risk of being stranded on the streets as the eviction moratorium expires. Cuomo issued the first decree barring landlords from evicting tenants during the coronavirus pandemic in March, which was in effect until June. On June 30, the governor extended the moratorium until August.

On the subject: Over 300 police cars damaged in two months of protests in New York

He also introduced legislation to protect tenants who are facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

The expiration of the moratorium means that eviction orders imposed on tenants before the pandemic, which were then suspended due to the moratorium, can now be enforced.

According to the Legal Aid Society, more than 14 families currently face similar problems and risk being left homeless.

Tenants unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic and who missed payments between March 7 and the full reopening of their county are still protected from eviction under the Tenant Protection Act.

However, homeowners can sue them to recover the rent payments they missed during this period.

New Yorkers continue to suffer from economic decline due to the pandemic, as some businesses have closed permanently and thousands of people have lost their livelihoods.

In July, global consultancy Stark Research Stout Risius Ross found that 40% of US tenants were unable to pay for their housing.

This figure is even higher in New York, where 46% could not afford to pay their rent.