Having a Wal-Mart In Brooklyn will hurt our communities. Click here to tell the Related that our communities matter.
Dear Lucas,
One of the city's biggest real estate developers, Related, is reportedly in talks to help Walmart build its first of many stores in New York City. Despite vocal opposition from NYCC Members in East New York in which the store would be built, and across NYC, Related has declined repeated invitations to participate in public forums to discuss its plans.
Small Bussiness owners are what make NYC special. Whether it's clothier Iqbals Chhabra extending credit to customers in times of need or hardware store owner Eddie Peralta visiting customers' homes to perform handiwork, the acts of kindness and solidarity that knit communities like East New York together are what makes living in our city worthwhile.
And having a Wal-Mart in Brooklyn won't just impact the small businesses in East New York, it will hurt local businesses across NYC. Act now to protect our communities from Walmart!
Let's face it: nobody from Walmart is going to extend you credit when you need it or drive to your house to help install a faucet. But if Related brings Walmart to New York, you might have few other options. In town after American town, Walmart has saturated markets and wiped out competing employers, killing three local jobs for every two poverty-wage job it creates. There is no reason to believe Walmart's effect on communities will be any less devastating in New York City.
That's why over a hundred community members from all over the city are marching to the offices of Related CEO Steven Ross today to demand that he call off reported negotiations with Walmart. You can help your fellow New Yorkers have a say over the fate of their neighborhoods by sending an email to Ross telling him to stop talking to Walmart and start talking to everyday New Yorkers .
By its own admission, Walmart is evaluating options for stores in all five boroughs, and Related has several current and prospective projects that could serve as suitable homes for Walmart. The threat is citywide. But thus far, Related has turned a deaf ear to community residents who don't want Walmart taking over their neighborhoods.
You may not shop with Eddie, Iqbals or Carlos or live in East New York, but you probably know a small business owner who gives you personal attention or neighbors who are working together to improve the place they live. Walmart, that foundation could disappear.
Related and Walmart are threatening what makes New York City best. Let's stand up together to defend it .
P.S. Your support makes our work possible.