Friends,

I wanted to share some important news that was released today.

Just this morning, the New York Supreme Court ruled that Zara Realty targeted and scammed tenants who live in their properties. As you’ll read below, Zara “charged new tenants a fee for new keys, room reservation fees, advanced rent, and security deposits that were often three to four times larger than a month’s worth of rent. Once tenants moved into Zara’s property, the company would often charge illegal late fees and fees for entitled services, including regular apartment maintenance.”

In NY-5, Zara Realty, one of New York City’ worst landlords, primarily house low income residents and this is absolutely sickening.

As the article mentions, Zara Reality harassed tenants, evaded rent stabilization laws, and grossly overcharged residents for fake apartment services. By doing this, Zara Reality was “evading rent stabilization laws in order to profit thousands of dollars out of tenants through illegal charges.”

However, don’t expect Gregory Meeks to raise his voice in opposition to this.

Instead, Gregory Meeks, in this campaign cycle alone, has accepted $98,750 in real estate contributions. Rep. Meeks doesn’t care about holding landlords accountable. Rep. Meeks doesn’t care about working class families. He only cares about who’s writing the checks.

In fact, less than 1% of Gregory Meeks fundraising for his campaign has come from small individual contributors.

The difference between Shaniyat Chowdhury and Gregory Meeks has never been more clear.

While Gregory Meeks remains silent, our campaign is going to fight for working families because no one deserves to be bullied, harassed, and intimated by their landlord.

It is so unfortunate that this news is shared with us during the middle of a pandemic. For two months now, tenants haven’t been able to pay rent despite mass rent strikes against landlords and leasing companies like Zara Realty.

Not only will I bring this fight against abusive realtors to Congress, but I will also go above and beyond to ensure that safe and affordable housing exists and is accessible. Housing is a human right.

Please donate to make this a realty.

In Solidarity,

Shaniyat.

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