Brooklyn, NY – On Saturday, August 8^th Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Senator Julia Salazar and Communities Resist held an Immediate Press Conference at 181 Palmetto Street in Brooklyn to bring awareness on Ms. Tasha Rose Tenant Harassment Case. She was wrongfully harassed after her landlord; Yehuda Kohn of Catherine Realty USA LLC hired an agent to attempt to illegally force their way into Ms. Rose’s apartment.

The Assemblywoman was presented with a disturbing video of the agent banging on Ms. Roses apartment door erratically, trying to make his way inside. Ms. Rose went on to plead that he was not welcome in her apartment and demanded proof of his tenancy in the building. The agent failed to share any documents and violently barged into Ms. Rose apartment door where she was then assaulted. After the assault, Ms. Rose immediately reached out to her local precinct in Bushwick to file for an order of protection. As the court proceedings reconvened yesterday, the District Attorney’s Office determined that the agent is not allowed on the premises and Ms. Rose order of protection was successfully filed through housing court.

There are laws in place that govern the people of New York City, if you break down a door, it’s an act of violence, it’s an act to cause fear. What happened to Tasha is unacceptable. We know that the agent did not live on the premises, we know that for sure. Due to the ripple effects of COVID-19 causing a pandemic where tenants struggle to pay rent. There’s been an increase in unemployment cases, causing anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illnesses. For such an issue to occur is baffling and repulsive. For all the landlords who are harassing their tenants, we are watching you.” said New York State Assemblywoman Maritza Davila

"The experience that our constituent Ms. Rose has had, and what we have witnessed from Ms. Rose's video account of this disturbing incident, is outrageous. There is no justification for any kind of tenant harassment. It is never okay; it is never justified, and it is never legal. We thank the tireless work of Communities Resist and the Assemblywoman's Office as well as all volunteers and tenant support networks who have helped put the landlords on notice from 181 Palmetto to across New York State-- that our community is united against tenant harassment. We look forward to working with the Assemblymember on a lasting solution to this urgent problem." said Senator Julia Salazar

"This experience has been nothing short of horrific. For my landlord to retaliate by endangering my life and threatening further harm because of the years of repair requests I've made for a rat infestation so severe that I was hospitalized (as well as roaches, mold, flooding, and more) is beyond incomprehensible. This is gender-based violence perpetrated the moment he knew I was alone and most vulnerable. No one should ever have to live in slumlord conditions or in fear of retaliation and harassment. Landlords should also not be able to use the police as tools of oppression and violence. I will fight for all tenant's rights and protections and to hold landlords and the police accountable for their egregious conduct." said Tasha Rose, Tenant of 181 Palmetto Street