October 25, 2024
To Whom It May Concern:
I reside on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. I am the Vice-President of the Village East Towers (VET) Board of Directors and the co-chair of its Emergency Task Force; a founding member of East River Park Action. I am a former President of the New York City Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. I was co-counsel, in the Attica Brothers federal civil rights case.
I first met Howard Brandstein one morning, in the East River Park (before its destruction). I was a jogger and Howard was a runner… a real runner with stamina, balance, focus, energy, drive and dedication. He was a role model for park runners and those who wanted to up their game. I jogged in admiration. Howard’s running demeanor carried into to his role as the Sixth Street Community Center’s Executive Director.
Howard was deeply involved in organizing the community to oppose the destruction of the park. His team efforts were extraordinary. He gathered petitions against the city’s plan, wrote articles published in the Villager, Village Sun and other newspapers, testified at various public hearings, including Community Board 3, the City Planning Commission and the Manhattan Borough President. He helped organize demonstrations against ESCR’s disastrous plan. He marched and rallied in events that he and his team helped to organize. He advocated for “decking” over the FDR Drive, a now recognized concept of preservation.
As a participant in various events held at the Sixth Street Community Center, I am reminded of the result of Howard’s leadership… this was true whether meeting in a crises, a cultural necessity or a purely social gathering.
I am inspired by Howard’s decency and admire his team and his position of leadership in our shared community. Using the description given by Joan Reinmuth: “the 6th Street Center is one of the brightest stars in our local universe.”
Daniel Meyers