Late yesterday afternoon, East Village resident Kelly King put up these signs on the currently shuttered newsstand that Jerry Delakas has operated since 1987 next to the downtown 6 at Astor Place.
As we first reported on Tuesday, the Department of Consumer Affairs shuttered the stand for "operating illegally" following an ongoing legal battle. He has a little more than a week to appeal the ruling that he fork over $37,000 or vacate.
Delakas was unaware that the city was going to seize his stand, as Jeremiah Moss learned. As Jeremiah noted, Delakas saw the broken padlock, and initially thought that he had been robbed.
So King is taking it upon herself to hold a rally this morning at 11 outside the newsstand. (She says that Delakas will be there as well.)
"He is not a fancy type to have the deep legal education to fight corruption off — he is a newsstand man. He is a villager. He is one of our own," King told me via Facebook. "I am going to stand up for him. I am going to give what I have to give."
And she hopes that some other residents will also be able to to stop by to show support for Delakas today...
EVG reader dbs shared these photos from last night...
11 comments:
Great news! Hope they get a good turnout. It might be worth it to schedule another rally later in the day for people who would like to attend but are at work now.
I agree. I'd also like to participate but can't be just standing around outside at 11:00am on a weekday
Ok. We will reassemble for round two at 4:30-6 pm. Jerry will be there. Please come and show him you care
If someone really wants to do this right, make a mini-party out of it and promote it today and have it tomorrow at 5pm.
Contact the Mud Truck folks and see if they'll park in front of the newsstand at 4:45pm to sell coffee for awhile. Get someone with a sound system.
Today: Handout flyers at all the subway exits to the 5pm commuter crowd. Tell them to BE THERE tomorrow at 5pm. Write a press release and get it TODAY to the press outlets. (Btw - put the press contact info on the flyers for the commuters, 'cause you never know who you might be handing a flyer to. Get the right person and you'll get some media coverage).
Sounds good BT
Why don't you organize it then instead of criticize people who are trying to help?
unless everyone's in a santa outfit, the cops will shut it down as an "event" that "needed a permit".
Thanks. Several press reporters came this morning and interviewed Jerry. Very wonderful to see them care. He is really upset and in a state. Please come this evening. If we cant get the judge to order the locks cut, then let us plan on Saturday at 2-3pm to show up and show what he means to the community.
Kelly King
Could you come by today and help organize? BT? Or could you maybe get a press release together for a saturday rally and i'll hand out the fliers? Could you help? I didnt sleep all night and am still committed to go back out and hand out more fliers this evening. I am about to start making them now. It would be great if you could help.
Kelly king
2:31 - I wasn't criticizing. Just trying to help as well. I've gotten some press coverage for things in the past, hence my ideas as to what to do.
That press was there today is very good news. A TV spot would be great.
Unfortunately I no longer live in NYC, so I can not be there to help.
I hope to god this newsstand stays open. I have no idea where I'd buy my newspaper if it closed.
BT- thanks- If you know how to do a press release would you do it from out if town for us? Send it out to who you think should know? Saturday 2-3 at jerry's stand a rally to show support? If you have the skill, could you make one up for it?
And the first plan to arrive at 11 was because Jerry was arriving at 9 am alone in 20 weather standing there. Several very un retiring retirees said they would come back in the morning to be with him. He is taking it like people take being told they have cancer. That way. People with some experience maybe to that look, said 'lets go be with him.' Thats how it was an odd 11am. rally of support moment. Not ment to be the only showing of support. Just a call in the crowd
Kelly King
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