Hotel Moves to Evict Hurricane Evacuees
New York, NY —
Local community activists and some politicians are accusing the Radisson Hotel near JFK airport of trying to push out hurricane Katrina evacuees. The hotel has been housing victims of the natural disaster for several months and has said it needs people out so that long planned renovations may begin.
REPORTER: Advocates say about 25 families still remain in the hotel. Pastor Donald Hudson from Brooklyn says since late last month the hotel has been slipping eviction notices under doors and locking people out of rooms.
HUDSON: It's been that bullying tactic and that forcing that has made the survivors end up having to flee for their lives and wonder where they are going.
REPORTER: An attorney advocating for the evacuees says the Katrina survivors have the same legal rights as apartment dwellers and may only be removed after being given the chance to respond in housing court.
Some of the evacuees stopped receiving federal aid yesterday and others will see their subsidies stop on February 13th.
The Radisson has not yet responded to a request for comment.
