From: ray.normandeau@factory.com (Ray Normandeau)
Subject: PUBLIC HOUSING: Queensbridge Standoff
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-1243v.32bis
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 19:23:18 GMT

                                 CONTACT: Ray Normandeau 718 392-1267
                      Press Secretary for Queensbridge Tenant Council

                          E-Mail Internet: ray.normandeau@factory.com

                     News updates by modem 212-274-8110, Conference 5

For Immediate Release

           Fire-Bombed NYC HA Police Office Gets Fortified

   National Black Riflemen's Association Sought As Housing Project
                               Back-Up

 Queensbridge Tenant Association President Burglarized and Threatened

The Queensbridge Tenant Association's plans to get the Fruit Of Islam
as a contracted security force at the notorious Queensbridge Houses
seems to be stymied due to interference by the Anti-Defamation League
of B'nai B'rith.

According to a New York Newsday July 9, 1992 story by Curtis Taylor
and New York Times July 12, 1992 story by Joseph Fried, the ADL wrote
letters opposing the tenant's democratic choice of security force. At
a recent Queensbridge Tenant Association meeting, Black, Hispanic and
White tenants were unanimous in their support for the Fruit Of Islam
plan. A Jewish tenant leader also came out in favor saying to
Queensbridge Tenant Council Press Secretary Ray Normandeau: "The
Fruit of Islam would be good for the Tenants. They would control the
drugs."

Queensbridge Tenant Association member Rita Frazier said "as a member
of Screen Actors Guild I have worked in several films where the Fruit
Of Islam provided security, they were very disciplined, they
maintained security while at the same time maintaining a good rapport
with everyone present."

Due to the ADL's actions the NYC HA told Queensbridge Tenant
Association President Janet Cole that the tenants can't have who they
want. Janet Cole says that it would appear that only litigation
initiated can save the plan. Taking the Housing Authority to court is
not new for Janet Cole. She has taken them to court for lack of heat
in the winter and for posting phony Queensbridge Tenant Association
election result notices when there had not been any elections.

In all fairness it should be mentioned that the ADL is not the only
group opposed to the FOI. The New York City Housing Authority Police
has opposed the plan and Janet Cole has filed a complaint with the
Internal Affairs Unit of the NYC PD regarding threats to her life
from within the Housing Police. Tenants are not taking the threats
kindly. Tenants are also upset that Janet Cole's office was
burglarized. She records her meetings on cassette tapes and cassette
tape seems to be what the burglars were after. There were no signs of
forced entry.

The Housing Police may be a bit apprehensive at this point. During
the last few days, their office at Queensbridge Houses which had been
previously fire-bombed was fortified with roll down steel gates and
the police logo hidden from view.

The Queensbridge Tenant Council is aiding the Tenant Association by
trying to locate the National Black Riflemen's Association as a
possible contingency plan in the event that litigation for
implementation of the Fruit Of Islam is not successful. Consideration
is being given to starting a branch of the NBRA at Queensbridge
Houses. So far no one seems to know where to contact them. The NBRA
has been mentioned on the African-American section of a local
Computer BBS.

The tenants say that the criminals must be removed and perhaps only
tenants with rifles can keep things safe. On Tuesday July 21, 1992
there was another shooting at Queensbridge with the victim removed
from 40-07 12 Street at 2:30 PM.

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