By Dan Murphy
For more than three weeks in June, Americans watched on TV as a group of protestors representing Black Lives Matters and Antifa took over a six block neighborhood in the middle of Seattle, Washington. A police precinct in the Autonomous Zone called CHAZ, Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, was burned and left empty from June 8 until July 1.
Most of our readers may not know that a similar, Autonomous Zone was built in White Plains. The Lower Hudson Democratic Socialists opened the site around July 4, in the Battle Hill neighborhood in White Plains in a small park.
“The Battle Hill Autonomous Zone broke ground today. We repurposed tires that we found dumped near by turning them into vegetable beds. We’ve decided to build raised beds next. If you can help, come on by, and donations can be sent via Venmo,” stated the organizers, who added a demand that White Plains strip funding for police to be used for other means, including helping pay for or cancel rent payments due and to provide assistance to those hid the hardest by the Coronavirus. A community garden in the neighborhood was also requested.
On July 6 and 7, The Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists, posted a schedule of events that included, Yoga, Art, Dinner and Board Games. The following day, a community garden session and an open mic in the evening were on the agenda.
The White Plains Autonomous Zone did not have the support of residents who lived nearby or next to the protest. Homeowners wanted the park back for their own use, and to get out of there homes during COVID for a breath of fresh air, or to walk their dog.
Three days after opening on July 5, the City of White Plains evicted the group, with a statement that read, “The unlawful occupation of city property by a small group of protesters has come to an end. The small number of people who were there were asked to leave. They did so and there were no arrests. “
Two of the winners of their Democratic primaries on June 23 also had the support of the Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists and will almost certainly now become Westchester’s two members of Congress.
Mondaire Jones, who is way ahead of the other six democrats trying to replace Nita Lowey in the 17th District, has continued his call for Medicare for All, as a way to make sure everyone in the district and the country has health insurance.
Jamaal Bowman, who became this year’s AOC with his upset over Eliot Engel in the 16th District, is calling for Universal Basic Income, UBI, or additional stimulus checks for all Americans.
