Wednesday, July 14, 2010
We Danced in the Rain
Thank You
It's Making a Difference
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Dear DNA Community,
Thank you, we are being heard and it's making a difference. Hundreds of you came out in the pouring rain yesterday, dancing and chanting in front of City Hall. Check out some of the press coverage of yesterday's rally. There are also links on our website and on Facebook.
In addition, several thousand of you have signed our statement of support, sending a clear message to the city and our landlord that DNA is an important organization, and we need to stay in Lower Manhattan.
Yesterday, we had a successful meeting with our landlord Fram Realty, and elected officials Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, Council Member Margaret Chin, Congressman Jerrold Nadler's representative, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's representative. As a result of the cooperative and positive meeting, we are pleased to say the landlord has agreed to postpone eviction proceedings until August 26th. More importantly, negotiations regarding new, mutually agreeable lease terms are
soon to be underway. However, there is no guarantee that the landlord's offer will alone be enough to
alleviate DNA's current crisis. For example, DNA continues to seek non-profit
tax status with regard to our current home. Therefore, we must continue to work
with the city and our constituencies for additional solutions.
We are encouraged by the progress but the fight is far from over. We have come this far because of the strength of our community. We can prevail and be here for the next 25 years, but to do that it is up to all of us. Now is the time to increase the pressure. See below for the three ways you can make a difference. We can't stop now.
Sincerely,
Catherine Peila
Executive Director
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How you Can Help Right Now
- We have created a special website called DNA Needs You. Please
make a donation today and pass the link along to your friends. Every
donation is essential to help us fund the fight.
- Send an email to your City Council member - (click here to find out who your Council Member is.) If you live in Council Member Margaret Chin's district please send her message thanking her for supporting DNA.
Here is a suggested
message but using your own word will mean even more.
Dear Council Member __________
I am a dancer and Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) is an important dance center in Lower Manhattan at 280 Broadway. They are currently working with their landlord to negotiate a new
lease in order to avoid
eviction. However, this may not be enough. Since DNA is a non-profit in a City-owned
building, I understand that there may be multiple solutions, one of which is working with the Department of
Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) for a non-profit tax abatement. Please join Council Member Margaret Chin
and Council Speaker Christine Quinn State Senator Daniel Squadron and State Assembly Member Deborah Glick in supporting DNA and request that all parties work together to ensure that this wonderful cultural organization is
here to stay.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Dear Mayor Bloomberg, I am a dancer and Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) is an important dance center
in Lower Manhattan at 280 Broadway. They are currently working with
their landlord to negotiate a new
lease in order to avoid
eviction. However, this may not be enough. Since DNA is a non-profit in a
City-owned
building, I understand that there may be multiple solutions, one of
which is working with the Department of
Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) for a non-profit tax abatement.
Please join Council Member Margaret Chin
and Council Speaker Christine Quinn State Senator Daniel Squadron and
State Assembly Member Deborah Glick in supporting DNA and request that
all parties work together to ensure that this wonderful cultural
organization is
here to stay. Sincerely, Name Address |
