May 18th, 2023 – BROOKLYN, New York: Parents at PS172 school received a new notice this morning, notifying then that the stand alone gym will no longer be used to house migrants, for now.
“As a follow-up to the letter you received a few days ago regarding the use of our school’s stand-alone gymnasium for asylum seekers, we are writing to inform you that the New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has determined the space is not needed for this purpose at this time. While the site will remain ready with cots and supplies available to provide emergency short-term respite if needed, temporary asylum operations at our school will not begin at this time. All school programming, including physical education classes, sports, and recess will continue as normal unless you are notified otherwise.
The approach to use stand-alone gymnasiums for short-term respite is consistent with NYCEM’s planning and preparation to consider all other viable options before a school space is used as a last resort. In the event the site is needed to provide temporary respite, we will notify you as soon as possible. “
A parent that has endured the overnights with minimal sleep was excited at first to see the cots removed from the gym floor but was later upset after finding out through a message to the parents that they will not be entirely removed from school grounds and may be used at any time.
“It’s a small school, it is not suitable to shelter more persons” – Gabriela, a parent of s child in PS172 school says as new announcement is made.
A grandparent of a student that attends PS 172 states “we going to be here every night” until the materials are entirely removed from school grounds.
Protests have been ongoing for three days and nights as parents and locals gathered outside their schools day an night.
This morning’s rally was held just outside the gym entrance at 9am and moved to the front of the school. Video by Diego Luzuriaga [email protected]
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