Support Howard Brandstein
Posted on April 16, 2025
This community Icon has been a real friend to our work trying to save East River Park. He needs our help.
–Pat Arnow, co-founder, East River Park Action
As you may have heard, last week the Board of Directors at the Sixth Street Community Center fired its long-time director Howard Brandstein. The board had the Center’s locks changed in the middle of the night. The next morning, when Howard was able to get into his office, they summoned the police to force him out.
They have acted disgracefully. Howard is honorable, and has been working effectively for 50 years. He’s part of what makes our neighborhood a community. The programs he started, and kept going for so many years, empowered this community and made it better. He should be getting awards, parades, galas; instead, he’s been ignominiously fired and locked out.
This is no way to treat someone who is a visionary, who has worked tirelessly to connect the issues of housing justice, food insecurity, climate and environmental awareness– as well as classism, racism, and sexism– and who confronted these ills by BUILDING SOMETHING.
Howard and East River Park
Howard and I worked together in building opposition to the destruction of East River Park. He brought in so many people and organizations; it was a strong group.
As we organized and planned, we often disagreed. But many times, he was right, damnit, and he was totally dedicated and principled. We harbored no hard feelings, and he remained an advocate for East River Park Action. I consider him a valuable friend and colleague.
Howard Brandstein in 2019 at the Sixth Street Community Center after a group of us made handmade “Save East River Park” sashes there. He helped organize a massive protest in opposition to the destruction of East River Park. He provided space for meetings and brought in wonderful allies.
He testified at hearings, participated in protests, continued supporting our efforts. Howard shows up.
Give his job back!
Many in the community have gotten together to work for Howard’s reinstatement. Please let your voice be heard for this courageous community activist.