Buffalo Rising Online

Aug 14th, 10:23am By Eli George

We hope you’ve been following PUSH Buffalo, but if not, our previous posts on PUSH will certainly fill you in. There was a party in Manhattan to benefit the organization as well as a lot of concentration on bringing attention to the West Side. As the summer nears its close, PUSH wants people to know what they’ve managed to do so far this year.

To begin with, their party on July 26th was a huge success with over 350 Buffalo lovers in attendance. As far as fundraisers go, it was a hit. PUSH also managed to knock on almost 2,000 doors and talk to over 1,000 people about their anti-poverty platform in support of their jobs and housing campaign. Also, on June 10th, 50 PUSH members and supporters gathered at 288 Hudson to make a loud and clear statement to the city and to protest the nearly $4 million of Community Development Block Grant funds that went to downtown loft construction instead of what it was originally intended for - struggling communities.

With these events under their belt as well as a number of other initiatives, PUSH wants to hit the gas and get their engines revved to try and get more power behind their jobs and housing campaign. To do that, they’re holding a few events this month to raise support. The first event begins today, August 14th, when PUSH will present a film called “Style Wars” at 271 Grant Street at 5 PM. This informative film takes a look at the hip-hop world and graffiti as art and will serve as a parallel to the struggles of youth in low-income Buffalo neighborhoods.

This Saturday, August 16th, is the monthly member meeting at 271 Grant at 3 PM. Then, on August 27th, there will be two shifts, one at 12 PM and one at 3 PM, to distribute literature about their campaign to help spread their message. August 30th will also be a distribution day with one shift at 2 PM. All distribution will stem from 271 Grant and volunteers are asked to contact PUSH if they would like to help out.

Held separately from the organization but meant to benefit it, Beat Fest will be holding a fundraiser on August 28th in The Tudor Lounge at 335 Franklin Street. The fundraiser, whose proceeds go to PUSH, features the Jony James Band, all you can drink Flying Bison Barnstomer Pale Ale, open bar from 8 PM until 9 PM, free food, a Chinese auction, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle – all for only $5 admission.

Their jobs and housing campaign is focused on turning city-owned abandoned property into decent housing and jobs for the neighborhood. At the same time, their anti-poverty platform emphasizes how important it is to hire locally for rehabilitating homes and Aaron Bartley, organizer for PUSH, feels that the shift from demolition to rehabilitation is already happening. More work needs to be done though and PUSH has actively been seeking allies in their campaign with various groups and block clubs with their biggest event happening in late September.

It will be a citywide event to bring attention to their campaign and what they feel should be done in the city. Bartley says that the details are still being worked out but that PUSH would like to see a mass mobilization. “It’ll probably have a parade or march feel to it. Again – sending this message of the value of our neighborhoods,” says Bartley.

If you’d like more information about PUSH Buffalo, visit their website, send an e-mail here, or call 882-5327 ext 7.