'What are people supposed to do?' Emotional speak-to-council session packs City Hall

Robert Bell, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read
The line to enter the speak-to-city council session wrapped around the corner.
The line to enter the speak-to-city council session wrapped around the corner.

What resembled bodies wrapped in bloody white sheets lined Church Street outside of Rochester City Hall for a demonstration on the Israel-Hamas war Thursday night.

It was just one of a converging storm of issues on city residents' minds that compelled 150 people to sign up for an emotional speak-to-city council session.

The line to enter city hall wound its way around the corner. Once inside, security had to keep order, forcing dozens to wait in the hallway as they attempted to hear opinions on matters impacting the city and the nation.

Each person had two minutes to speak.

The issues revolved around the recent property reassessments, opposition to a potential business improvement district and disappointment that Rochester has not joined other American cities in calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Concerns over the Israel-Hamas war

"Are you going to be the city of Frederick Douglass that stands against injustice?" Sabeep Kanzi asked. "Why won't you sign a ceasefire resolution?"

As Kanzi left the microphone to cheers, a woman backed by a pro-Israel group confronted him with an Israeli flag and a photo of a hostage.

"Bring them home," she yelled at him.

The dueling chants "bring them home" and "ceasefire now" competed throughout the session.

"Everybody deserves safe and affordable housing from Rochester to Palestine," Lisa Coleman told the council.

Concerns over Rochester property assessments

Saron Coles Jamison, a senior, showed up to speak about recent property reassessments.

These reassessments, which the city conducts every four years, saw Rochester's average property value rise 64%, and some residents fear rent and tax increases.

More: 'People are terrified.' Rochester homeowners shocked by steep hike after property reassessments

"A lot of senior citizens can't be here," Jamison said. "We're just asking y'all to pause."

Ray Bradley also called for a halt to the reassessments. "Election time is coming, and we will vote out anyone who didn't vote for the pause."

As Bradley headed toward the exit, he walked by "No BID" signs, a protest to a potential Business Improvement District (BID).

Concerns about the proposed Rochester Business Improvement District

According to its supporters, a BID in downtown Rochester will leverage new resources to generate activities and services that strengthen the local economy, stimulate vibrancy and create inclusive communities.

Its opponents say BIDs are 21st-century redlining and new-wave gentrification.

More: Residents, developers differ on Business Improvement District

"Rochester is already full of life," Kate Kennedy told the council. The BID will exacerbate the issues plaguing this city."

When Clay Harris had his chance to speak to the council, he asked which would stand up for the people of Rochester. Councilmembers Stanley Martin, Willie Lightfoot, Mary Lupien, and Kim Smith stood.

"Shame on the councilmembers who did not stand for the people," Harris said.

Clay Harris founded Uniting and Healing through Hope of Monroe County. He and councilmembers Lightfoot, Lupien, Martin and Smith stood alongside community organizers who say these separate issues all play into one another.

Afterward, those councilmembers released a Community Action Plan which includes:

  • Pausing the property reassessment

  • Stopping the proposed Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)

  • Full support of the ceasefire resolution

  • Conducting a new vacancy study would update local data according to New York State law and allow Rochester to opt into rent control across the city.

"As a Pastor, I stand with the calls for Peace and Ceasefire and am happy to stand with my colleagues on these interconnected issues," councilmember Lightfoot said. "I encourage my other colleagues to join us in addressing these pillars and stand up for peace, justice, and the underserved members of our community."

Before Lasharn Wright's two minutes were up expired, she asked the council a simple question.

"What are people supposed to do?"

— Robert Bell is a multimedia journalist and reporter at The Democrat & Chronicle. He was born in Rochester, grew up in Philadelphia and studied film in Los Angeles. Follow him at @byrobbell on X and @byrobbell on IG. Contact him at rlbell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester City Council meeting: Emotional session packs City Hall