Protesters call for state to help people facing homelessness, addiction

Rochester, N.Y. – Protests were held in various locations across New York Thursday, calling on state leaders to address homelessness.

Demonstrators say housing is a human right and not a privilege, and that the state needs to help people in need.

In particular, they called for support of the Invest in Our New York Act, which they say would end tax breaks for wealthiest New Yorkers and invest in both overdose and homelessness prevention.

“Throughout COVID, over 1.4 million New Yorkers are facing eviction,” said Stanley Martin. “Before the pandemic, we were already struggling. Poor people, Black and Brown communities were severely underfunded and, without additional revenue streams, the people who are going to be most impacted are the homeless people, people suffering from drug use and substance use issues.”

Protests were held simultaneously Thursday in Albany, New York City, Buffalo and Rochester.