Post Event Report: Town Hall Meeting with the United Nations Special Rapporteur On Adequate Housing Congratulations to all who made this an event possible. The Coalition to Save Harlem is proud to have been an organizing member of this event. Folks came out and testified about their housing issues to the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Adequate Housing Raquel Rolnik. She listened intently.
In fact, a Blog Site has been created to follow the activites of the UN Housing Rapporteur's visit in the United States. Check it out at
RestoreHousingRights.org
One by one the Community Residents told their story. "Grandstanding" was not allowed during the event so that those experiencing this sad housing situation in New York City would get an opportunity to speak. "Say it like you mean it" was definately the order of the evening. It was obvious that the outreach coordinated by the New York City Chairperson Rob Robinson, a Board Member of Picture the Homeless (and a gentleman with a history of being homeless) was successful in reaching those who needed this public conversation with the UN Housing Rapporteur. This Town Hall provided an evening of realization (the Housing Rapporteur was in NYC), education (the testimonials provided a learning "eye opening" experience) and conversation (people made new relationships and strenghtened older ones).
See for yourself ...
(due to technical difficulties, there is no audio for the first 16 minutes)
