Columbia U. President Bollinger Booed by Harlem Residents

Columbia University, the third largest landlord in New York City, is poised to grab 17 acres of prime real estate in Harlem to expand their campus. University President Lee Bollinger has taken a "its all or nothing" negotiating stance with the community meaning the seizure of private property through eminent domain and the displacement of 131 families in the expansion footprint, not to mention the adverse impact of secondary displacement that even the university had conceded to. As part of the public review process Community Board 9 in West Harlem held a hearing for residents to voice support for or against the expansion. The meeting drew an estimated crowd of 500 (100 remained outside due to limited capacity).

Video clip provided by Duana C. Butler, Producer/Director "Harlem Stories"(documentary work in progress) Visit http://www.nbpc.tv/projects/harlemstories/ for more information on this project.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• harlem
• gentrification
• columbia university
• nellie bailey
• lee bollinger
• eminent domain
• community board #9

[frbjoern]

Well it's refreshing to observe that Bollinger gets the reception he truly deserves once in a while

[kritikkal]

we have taken alot of time and handled this matter with care...now get the fuck out of your houses! we gonna bulldoze them mofos!

[LolCaramelz]

I'm a college educated white professional, and I side with Harlem on this.

Using eminent domain in this way is precisely what the Founding Fathers feared our government would become.

[artistsassist]

Thanks for posting this video!

[dubyamoney]

lying motherfucker - Aipac cock sucker

[jb26508]

Yeah i can understand y these ppl r mad. I live on 148 on riverside and and Columbia owns half of broadway from 147 to 148 and bought out a local store. But Columbia has programs within my highschool so I benefit a little

[m015094]

Columbia is one of the best universities in the nation. Having an institution like this is an asset to the community, but these people are too dumb to see that.

[MrSdsdd]

hey this is kind of funny all conservatives think this guy is a pot smoking liberal but it seems like democrats in harlem hate him too, hahah Bollinger!

[hyakuendama]

Our time for what?

[prettyboybryant]

It shows that we black people have no power, everyone protesting what is being done with their taxes and it still happens. It is our time black people.