Protest March: Justice for Stephon Clark, Hell's Kitchen NYC

3/31/2018

Streetscape of demonstrators and NYPD during during protest march for Stephon Clark, Hell's Kitchen NYC

The evening of Wednesday March 28th 2018, hundreds of New Yorkers marched from Columbus Circle to Times Square in protest over the fatal shooting of unarmed Stephon Clark by the police in Sacramento, California on March 18th.

22 years old and African-American, Clark was shot at 20 times while in his grandmother's backyard. He was hit by 8 bullets. 7 of them in the back.

The demonstration took place one day after Louisiana attorney general, Jeff Landry, announced he would not prosecute two Baton Rouge police officers in the 2016 death of Alton Sterling. Earlier Wednesday, the White House issued a statement that cases of excessive force by law enforcement - such as Stephon Clark, Alton Sterling, and Eric Garner - are a "local matter" rather than a national concern. The rallies began.

Footage of the march down 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen as protestors made their way to Times Square.

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Farewell Hartley House: Hell’s Kitchen’s Home Away from Home

3/9/2018

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The Hell's Kitchen community held a candlelight vigil for beloved Hartley House on Saturday, March 3, 2018. After 120 years of service, the institution abruptly closed its doors at 409-413 West 46th Street. Its three buildings sold for a paltry sum to Thornton Equities LLC.

The situation is heartbreaking. And it is baffling.

Hartley House was founded in 1897 during the Progressive Era as a settlement house under the auspices of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor (AICP), today the Community Service Society of New York. It became an independent organization in 1903. Named by Marcellus Hartley after his father Robert Milham Hartley, a founder of AICP. Marcellus purchased the sold buildings in the early 20th century. They stood as "a hub of support, empowerment, and community development" until now.

In mourning, HKers of multiple generations met in front of Hartley House to share their personal experiences and to reflect on its place and meaning in our community. Each articulated in their own way that the House was a 'Home': a safe haven from the streets, where we were cared for, where we socialized, played, and were educated.

The vigil was also a call to action - To fight for the return of Hartley House. To defend against the forces dismantling our neighborhood. To demand representation for ourselves and our community. While there is still community left.

Hartley House aims to continue programming that it will manage from a set of offices on Broadway while it looks to relocate back to the neighborhood. We hope they do.

Because places matter. Hartley House may have been constructed with materials like brick and mortar, but it was built with love and investment over time. Hell's Kitchen needs Hartley House - a place we, our children, and our grandchildren can call Home.

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Protest March: Justice for Stephon Clark, Hell's Kitchen NYC

Farewell Hartley House: Hell’s Kitchen’s Home Away from Home

E. B. Gallardo
is an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.

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Protest March: Justice for Stephon Clark, Hell's Kitchen NYC

Farewell Hartley House: Hell’s Kitchen’s Home Away from Home

E. B. Gallardois an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.

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E. B. Gallardo
is an urban anthropologist & multimedia storyteller based in New York City.