Pro-Tenant Rally Targeted Accused 'Slumlord', Protesting Retaliation

This article was originally published on UrbanCNY.com.

Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power! (STOP!) is protesting at Ballantyne Apartments on the Southside, one of Syracuse’s Dirty Dozen landlords whose property has had dozens of code violations every year.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 161 Ballantyne Rd Syracuse, NY 13205. Speakers included Ballantyne tenants, Mary Traynor and Stephanie Kenific of the STOP! Coalition. Its tenants are organizing but also facing retaliation and shaming from the landlord and its management company.

“At least one tenant has received threats of physical harm since her name appeared in the media”, stated a release from the advocacy group. STOP!, a local pro-tenant coalition, involving the Syracuse Tenants Union, Syracuse Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Democratic Socialists of America, are coming together in solidarity and collaboration with Ballantyne tenants.

According to Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power (STOP!), “Ballantyne benefits from federal funds for nearly a third of its rental roster and has an obligation to maintain compliant and safe properties for all its tenants. Instead, it has been shaming tenants and failing to address their concerns in a timely manner.”