#SaveNYC Movement Gains Considerable Momentum; Local ‘Rally’ Concert Planned in May

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Could this be the proverbial tipping point in the struggle to save the city from itself?

When the Cafe Edison closed at the end of last year, cries of woe reverberated around the city. Many mourned, and some acted. Like the anonymous Jeremiah of Vanishing New York fame. He created a new website (nay, movement) to help urge City Council to finally approve the Small Business Jobs Act, a bill that has languished in purgatory for decades. If passed, the law would “create fair negotiations of commercial lease renewals, so landlords can’t use insane rent hikes to evict dependable and beloved business people.”

This beast of preservation, as it were, has garnered a massive groundswell of momentum. In its first week alone (at least in public), the group collected an impressive array of media coverage, everything from TV news to the papers. The kickoff was last Monday with an op-ed in the Daily News by Jeremiah. Since then, the story reached outlets like PIX11, CBS, CNBC, Salon, and amNY.

Here’s how you can help: upload photos and video testimonials about revered establishments by holding signs with the hashtag #SaveNYC. Also, tweet to our local politicians to help shame them into action. It’s that easy.

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Photo: Raymond Adams

In other #SaveNYC news, a concert is currently in the works to spread awareness of the cause. Date set is May 2 at Arlene’s Grocery, 10pm. More info from a forthcoming press release:

The event is NOT a fundraiser but rather a rally to convince the city council to pass the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. Through music,entertainment and activism we want the public to be aware of and called upon to push the city council to pass this bill which will give small business owners the right to negotiate their leases.

Performers scheduled to appear on stage are Penny Arcade, DeeDee Luxe. #SaveNYC spokesperson Ann McDermott will be addressing the audience. We will also have small business owners sharing their stories of struggle. The names of the musical performers will be released in about a week.