'Point to the policy' Bronx Mutual Aid and City Parks Department in standoff over weekly food and clothing distribution
The NYC Parks Department has attempted to break up the weekly distribution at least three times since February, claiming the group needs a permit to be on the sidewalk.
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The New York City Parks Department and Bronx Mutual Aid (BMA), a volunteer group, are in a standoff over BMA's weekly food and clothing distribution event held on the sidewalk outside St. Mary's Park in Mott Haven.
At least three times since February, BMA says a Parks Department officer has attempted to break up the distribution.
"We're not inside the park, we're not blocking any entrance to the park, we're not interfering with any park activities," explained Ché, an organizer with BMA.
This past Saturday, with an estimated 200 people waiting on line, the parks officer was even heard threatening to call the NYPD in a video posted to social media.
Bronx Mutual Aid argues that the Parks Department has no authority to stop them from setting up on the sidewalk.
The city's Open Data map of parkland clearly stops before the sidewalk, and the online permit application only lists spaces inside the park, such as the playground or amphitheater.
"We're not doing anything wrong. We're on public property," said Juan, the distribution lead.
"There's no policy or law that we're breaking," added Ché. "We've asked the Parks Department multiple times to point to the city ordinance or law that we're violating, and they're unable to."
Despite all of those facts, a city source tells News 12 that the sidewalk is still a place where an event needs a permit from the Parks Department.
The source says Parks has been in contact with Bronx Mutual Aid about hosting distribution, and will continue to encourage the group to go through the permitting process.
"Because we're growing, and we're serving the community in a way that's kind of outside the context of what they're used to, maybe they don't feel comfortable," wondered Juan.
Ché continued to argue for Parks to "point to the policy! Give us the policy!"
He noted that while the City Charter does tell the Parks Commissioner to "manage and care for all parks...the sidewalks immediately adjoining the same," his interpretation is that refers to upkeep - not permits for gatherings -and that all requests for that to be clarified have not been answered.
For now, Bronx Mutual Aid is planning to be back in the same spot this Saturday, and every Saturday after, unless the city wants to help them find an indoor space for the winter.
