PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Darius Khalil Gordon, Executive Director of Met Council on Housing
9:25:05
·
162 sec
Darius Khalil Gordon, Executive Director of Met Council on Housing, strongly opposes Randy Mastro's appointment as corporation counsel due to Mastro's history of opposing tenant rights and supporting landlord interests. Gordon argues that Mastro's past actions have significantly harmed affordable housing in New York City.
- Gordon criticizes Mastro's role in the Giuliani administration, particularly in pushing for vacancy decontrol which led to the loss of rent-stabilized housing.
- He highlights Mastro's ongoing legal efforts against tenant protections, including challenging eviction moratoriums during the COVID-19 pandemic and attempting to overturn the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
- Gordon warns that Mastro's appointment could signal a shift in city policy that favors landlords and developers over tenants.
Darius Khalil Gordon
9:25:05
Thank you.
9:25:06
Good evening, and thank you all for for your patience.
9:25:08
My name is Darius Claude Gordon.
9:25:10
I'm the executive director for Met Council And Housing, and I'm here to tell you exactly why we are vehemently opposed Randy Mastro being appointed corporation counsel.
9:25:21
Let's not mince words.
9:25:23
Randy Mashrou has spent the last 30 years as a relentless enemy of tenants.
9:25:28
His legacy is destruction.
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Starting with his crucial role in 1994 under the Giuliani administration, where he was instrumental in pushing vacancy decontrol.
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His disastrous policies gutted rent stabilized housing across New York City, allowing landlords to jack up rents and displace countless working class New Yorkers.
9:25:49
And what did Mastro do?
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He stood by while the city lost the power to protect its tenants, ensuring that the damage was irreversible.
9:25:58
After his stint at the mayor's office, Mashrou didn't stop there.
9:26:02
He returned to private practice, becoming the go to guy for landlords and the Rent Stabilization Association.
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Time and time again, he's taken up arms against tenants, fighting tooth and nail to destroy rent regulations and strip away tenant protections.
9:26:18
During COVID 19 pandemic, When tenants struggled to survive, national led a heartless crusade to overturn eviction protections, taking it all the way to the US Supreme Court.
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And now, As if his past portrayals weren't enough, he's added again.
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This time trying to dismantle New York's housing stability and tenant protection act of 2019.
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This man has a long history of siding with landlords.
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Pushing for policies that make it easier to evict, displace, and exploit tenants.
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He's not a champion for renters.
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He's a hired gun for the highest bidder.
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Make no mistake.
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Randy Mastro isn't about creating a better New York for all of us.
9:27:02
He is about lining the pockets of landlords and developers at the expense of those who live here.
9:27:08
Mayor Adams' suggestion for Mastro's involvement is a red flag.
9:27:13
A sign that his housing plan, including the city of yes, is designed to trample over Tennant's rights and dismantle the progress that we have fought to achieve.
9:27:22
Met Council will not stand for this.
9:27:24
I repeat, Met Council will not stand for this.
9:27:28
We're here to say no to Randy Demastro becoming the corporation counsel and to any initiative or person that puts proper over people.
9:27:36
We will fight tooth and nail to protect tenants, preserve affordable housing, and ensure that the city remains a place we all not just for the wealthy, you can call home.
9:27:46
Thank you.
