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- 5-24-09: Vincent Gray Doesn't Get the Message
- 8-17-09: JUFJ Announces Jeremiah Fellowship
- 8-14-09: Fenty Administration Implements Long-Awaited Affordable Housing Law
- 8-3-09: Statement by JUFJ Rabbi in Residence Elizabeth Richman on Slayings at Tel Aviv LGBT Center
- 7-17-09: Statement by Rabbi Gilah Langner on behalf of JUFJ
- 7-3-09: Open Letter to Prince George's County Hearing Board
- 6-24-09 Dozens of Residents Speak Out on Purple Line Development in Langley Park
- 6-23-09: Testimony by Jacob Feinspan to the Prince George's County Planning Board
- 6-23-09: Testimony by JUFJ Intern Shira Dickler to the Prince George's County Planning Board
- 4-17-09: DOES Commits to Stronger Enforcement
- 4-8-09: JUFJ Executive Director Jacob Feinspan's Testimony Before D.C. Council Committee on Finance and Revenue
- 4-1-09 JUFJ's 8th Annual Labor Seder Focuses on the Plight of Day Laborers
- 3-19-09: JUFJ's Program Director Darya Mattes Testifies before D.C. Committee on Housing and Workforce Development
- 7-18-08 JUFJ Celebrates Victory for Domestic Workers
- 6-26-08 Jewish Groups Respond to Kosher Meat Scandal
- 5-23-08 - JUFJ responds to kosher meat scandal
- Tikkun Leil Shabbat
6-24-09 Dozens of Residents Speak Out on Purple Line Development in Langley Park
DOZENS OF CONCERNED RESIDENTS EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT PRINCE GEORGE'S SECTOR PLAN FOR LANGLEY PARK
JUFJ MEMBERS AMONG THOSE ADVOCATING FOR PROTECTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS
UPPER MARLBORO, MD, JUNE 23, 2009 -- More than sixty concerned residents and representatives from advocacy organizations, including 16 members of Jews United for Justice, came expressed strong concerns about current Prince George's County Sector Plan for development in Langley Park, where the planned Purple Line light rail project is expected to spur development and revitalization. During the public comment period of the Joint Public Hearing on the development plan, the groups and individuals demanded the preservation and improvement of affordable housing, small business retention, and physical planning to improve pedestrian access and safety as the County plans for the revitalization of the TLC area and the probable construction of the Purple Line. As it stands, all current rental housing, which is largely occupied by low-income and immigrant residents, has been rezoned, with no protections in place for existing occupants.
More than 20 people spoke during the public comment period, expressing strong concerns about the lack of protections for current low-income residents and locally-owned small businesses. In addition to Jews United for Justice, those who spoke out included representatives of CASA de Maryland, the Prince George's Justice and Advocacy Council of the Archdiocese, the Catholic Community of Langley Park, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, tenant associations and property owners and small business owners.
"The Purple Line has the potential to bring so many opportunities to the communities it would serve, but if development along the route is not thoughtful, with due consideration given to the communities that already live there, it could be their kiss of death," said Jacob Feinspan, Executive Director of Jews United for Justice, a grassroots organization pushing for a fair Purple Line. "Prince George's County must revise its Sector Plan to give current residents and business owners a fighting chance to remain in their homes and shops and preserve the character of their community."
Photos of the event available upon request.
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