Brooklyn, NY: 1234 Pacific Street Tenant Association Marks One Full Year of Rent Strike

Tenants in Brooklyn, New York with the 1234 Pacific Street Tenant Association mark one full year on rent strike with rally.

Since April 1, 2020, nearly half of the 36 units at 1234 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY, have been on rent strike. Many of these tenants are still unable to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and others are withholding their payment in solidarity with their neighbors. The strike continues into a second year.

1234 Pacific was among the first buildings to collectively strike in response to the pandemic, and has since been joined by many others taking collective action with the Housing Justice for All and Right to Counsel coalitions, representing the largest coordinated rent strike in New York in almost a century.

The tenants at @1234PacificPowr have been on rent strike for a full year. Last April, we caught up with them as their strike had just kicked off to talk about the growing tenant movement in #NewYork and beyond. https://t.co/zZyBbiMp2r https://t.co/XdgSYfo5AR

— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) April 2, 2021

The building’s landlord, Isaac Schwartz, owns at least 50 buildings in New York City and has been featured repeatedly on the Public Advocate’s “Worst Landlord Watchlist.” Pacific Management has thus far refused to negotiate with the tenant association or offer any rent relief.

In the past year, the fire department has been called to the building several times due to persistent gas leaks and mechanical failures of the elevator. In addition, management has refused to adequately address the security of the front door, although there have been at least two cases of harassment by strangers this year, as well as persistent theft. April 1 will mark one full year of rent strike at 1234 Pacific Street.

(2/2) pic.twitter.com/8nxR97rYBB

— 1234 Pacific Street Tenant Association (@1234PacificPowr) April 1, 2021

To commemorate the occasion, the Crown Heights Tenant Union (CHTU), Crown Heights Mutual Aid (CHMA), and New York City Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) joined tenants for a banner drop and celebration rally on Thursday, April 1st, at 6pm in front of the building.