Hasshan Batts and his Promise Neighborhoods has become the recipient of the establishment's gesture toward mitigating violence in the community. Hasshan promotes his group as Black led. The premise is that his trained mentors, themselves previous members of gang life, know how and when to interrupt the violence cycle.
Hasshan's picture has appeared on billboards throughout Allentown, and currently is featured at ABE Airport. The establishment always looks for a convenient place to throw some money and feel good about the effort... they think it shows that they caređź’ť. Both Governor Shapiro and Congresswoman Susan Wild brought Batts over a $million each.
However, not everyone is as fond of Batts' show as our elected officials. Local people, also involved in trying to better street life, find Promise a phony. In their opinion not only doesn't Promise deliver on their mission, but they actually act as a bully themselves against their detractors.
If experience is a guide the concerns of these residents will not be recognized or addressed. Instead those holding the reins of power in the city will personally impugned and denigrated them. The media will either join in, or ignore them and their concerns.
ReplyDeleteMike if you would know were to look you to could see were this property investment firm is profiting off there destruction. This little one is just a smaller version of a known bigger non profit taking the helm as the team bully.
ReplyDeleteI’m assuming this is a Phoebe Harris-led effort? Whether it is or not, I wish them luck. Promise Neighborhoods is a problem and should be defunded.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I hope that the group looking for the cessation of funding to Promise Neighborhoods isn’t looking to replace them with another group.
The problem with groups like Promise Neighborhoods is that they set themselves up as a power broker between the government and minority residents. This sets up two levels of service, and undermines the minority people these groups claim to serve.
Minority residents deserve the same level of service that white residents receive. If white residents have a problem they pick up the phone or show up at a meeting and expect the government to serve them. In contrast, minority residents have to go through a whole additional level of non-profit bureaucracy to get their problems solved.
Most of us recognize that this is actually just a payoff by politicians to appear to care about the minority residents and making their lives better. But that has shockingly little to do with the transaction, as results of these policies in major cities across America show.
Minority residents deserve better than being treated as second-class citizens. Funding groups like Promise Neighborhoods keeps them there.
The protest was organized by Eddie Aviles, who has issues with Promise, Hasshan Batts and Gregory Edwards.
DeleteIs Gregory Edwards affiliated with Pawlowski’s old church?
DeleteAlso, is Edwards the one who jacked up the rent for The Liberty Bell Shrine, forcing that group to move?
anon@1:15: Edwards' church was given Zion Church with the Liberty Bell Shrine. I print your comment to remind people that this blog does not encourage questions or chats between commenters. People should google answers to their questions.
DeleteDr. Batts is routinely savaged by malcontents in the LatinX community, these are deep seated rivalries Dr. Batts has taken the high road and has been rewarded handsomely for his community stewardship. What is Aviles doing besides launching campaigns of complaints?
ReplyDeleteEddie Aviles has physically assaulted people live multiple times, just verbally attacked judge Linda Vega a few months ago, accused the mayor of being a pedophille, been banned from Allentown school district and city council chambers, arrested multiple times over the past year on Facebook live and now because the news outlets are giving notoriety for a 6 person protest he’s requesting money to his personal cash app as we speak to help the homeless. This guy has a documented history of violence and is sharing the pastors address and threatening people and you think it’s wise to fuel is instability?
DeleteAviles certainly is not a Boy Scout or choir boy.. However, he's attempting to shine a light on some sacred cows, who usually get an automatic pass with no scrutiny from the media.
DeleteTo anonymous 1223 there where definitely more than 6 people. I was am observer from a far. Protesters came in shifts from 10 to 1. I counted about 30 individuals. I was in the parking lot when individuals were told there cars would be towed and they would be arrested. Know your facts. But 6 or 600 it doesn't erase the facts.
ReplyDeleteanon@11:14, although your info is correct, I don't agree with your conclusions. Ortiz/Arks fall from grace doesn't make Promise scrutiny proof. I felt that Batts' play for the toy factory was heavy handed. I suspect that Ortiz and Harris are enjoying Aviles' protest against Batts/Promise, but I believe that Aviles is self-motivated.
ReplyDeleteOrtiz Ark Foundation is a non profit and all non profits foundations file the same paperwork!
ReplyDeleteLet me be very clear and very Blount and respond to any and all comments referring to myself Jessica Lee Ortiz and my organization and businesses.
ReplyDelete1. Eddie is not a tool of mine.
2. The Ark has filled its tax returns every year. We do not receive funds and when we have its been under $50,000 so the IRS requires a dimple 990 and they are available for public records.
3. We have not fallen from grace as Grace is of God and no man has that power
4. We continue to serve at least 350 a week with our own funds!
5. The Mayor's poor taste in dismissing my husband reflects on his weak leadership.
6. No organization is perfect.
7. The Ark wants peace in our community.
8. I don't throw shade I sheed light and never hide that.
9. I was a Pawloski supporter and don't see how that relates to any of these matters.
10. The individual who states they had alot to say but remained anonymous because they want no part....can't have it both ways. You said what ypu said but cowardly. Change happens when ypu step up and out front. If ypu have any issue or questions my door swings both ways!
I'm not involved in any organization but filmed the protest as a journalist I saw a story. I wanted to say I meet Jessica that day who came to keep peace between Eddie and Promise Neighborhoods. She mediated for both sides. I thought that was very admirable of her. Many people stopped there vehicles for her asking if she need help or support.She could of easily hyped up tge cause.I think that even more now after reading some of these comments. I will say this, she said something that really sat with me as she conversed with two men on the bridge. A space for open conversation and not public humiliation is needed or lives innocent lives will continue to be affected.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to point out that the individual I respond to has now retracted there comment. But I stand by my response and look forward to a time when community can be at peace.
ReplyDelete