Martha Villatoro has two children receiving speech and occupational therapy at a Queens public school. She says that this year she was cut off from 4 therapies a month each.
“They are not receiving the services they should have because they tell me they are being cut, eh, there is no budget,” Villatoro said.
Martha is one of dozens of New Yorkers demanding more funds from Mayor Eric Adams to expand services that improve the quality of life for everyone.
“I ask for safe and decent housing for the entire community and that the rent is not so high,” said Julia Cabrera.
Cabrera, after living in the same apartment for 25 years, says that the new owners recently raised the rent from $2,000 to $3,200.
“You feel alone, you feel afraid because of the abuse and harassment from the landlords,” Cabrera added.
With the document “Dignity, Community and Power”, the members of the Make the Road NY organization also demand that the city council allocate more funds from the city budget by 2025. This to implement policies that, According to them, they are necessary to protect all New Yorkers.
“Our 2024 platform is nothing extravagant, it’s the basics our communities need to stay and thrive in our city: education, housing, immigrant protection, health care, less policing, and justice for workers.
@NYCMayor: We won’t back down until ALL New Yorkers feel seen, protected, and at home in their city! ✊”, reads a message on Make the Road NY’s social networks.
Our 2024 platform isn’t anything extravagant, it’s the basics our communities need to stay & thrive in our city: education, housing, immigrant protections, healthcare, less policing & worker justice! @NYCMayor: we won’t stand down until ALL NYers feel seen, protected & at home… pic.twitter.com/EYNd5uA9WN
— Make the Road NY 🦋 (@MaketheRoadNY) April 24, 2024
These are some of the requests from Make the Road NY:
Extend eligibility for CityFHEPS coupons
More affordable housing
Invest in immigration legal services
Invest in public education and adult literacy programs
Reduce the police budget and use those funds for community safety.
Recently, the city council announced that there are 6 billion dollars available and the organization asks that part of those funds be used for the well-being of the working class.
“We know that the money is there and the only thing we need is for the council and also for the mayor to use the power they have to be able to invest what is necessary, especially in black, brown and low-income communities and the immigrant community.” said José López, Make the Road NY.
Make the Road NY hopes the funds will be added during the city council’s next hearing in June when they vote on the city’s 2025 budget.
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