Those in favor of saving Brooklyn A gather together with posters
and flyers outside of the LSNYC central office in Manhattan.
Photo by: Brooke Niemeyer
By: BROOKE NIEMEYER
MANHATTAN -- Despite the cold winds, a crowd rallied outside the central offices of Legal Services New York (LSNYC) in Manhattan yesterday to protest the consolidation of legal services in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation, also known as Brooklyn A, is a civil legal service, providing legal assistance to low-income residents in North and East Brooklyn. They help with cases involving disability projects, rights for those affected by HIV/AIDS, community and economic development, domestic violence cases, fraud, and preserving low-income housing. LSNYC is working to find ways to make financial cutbacks and is considering consolidating all offices into one Manhattan location as a way to cut back on costs.
One protestor, Maria Alvarado, said nothing could stop her from coming to stand up for her mother, who relies on the disability services provided by Brooklyn A.
"My mother don't drive and she doesn't speak English, so she has no way to go (to Manhattan) or communicated," Alvarado, 28, of Greenwood Lake, said. "She would be without help if they close Brooklyn A."
Alvarado and hundreds of others who oppose the closing of Brooklyn A gathered in front of the LSNYC central offices to show their opposition the possibility of eliminating Brooklyn A which is outlined in the Brooklyn Planning Process. Brooklyn A has assisted the poor and working-class people in Brooklyn since 1967, providing assistance with legal services.
"We are demanding that they save the office that has been helping our community for so long," Catherine Pinto, 37, of Williamsburg said. "So many people don't speak English or can't travel to the central office in Manhattan, so they will be out (of luck) if the one in Brooklyn closes."
"Taking away Brooklyn A is not fair for those without money," Alvarado said.
At the rally, people marched with signs and repeatedly shouted, "We want Brooklyn A!" Protest organizers spoke on a megaphone to reiterate their intentions.
"We must remind them the importance of helping people with Brooklyn A," Councilwoman Diana Reyna told the protesters. Reyna is an advocate for saving the Brooklyn location of LSNYC and has been helping organize petitions and the rally.
Those in favor of keeping Brooklyn A are hoping the restructuring committee will see the value of keeping multiple offices open.
"They need to leave it the way it is," Alvarado said. "Keeping all offices open spreads the word across the state instead of just having it in one central place."
"They want to save money and cut funds so it doesn't hurt their business," Pinto said. "But what about them hurting people?"
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