The Poor Begin Campaigning for Heat

Rochester Poor People’s Coalition, a multi-racial group of the poor and homeless based out of the House of Mercy began a campaign against RG&E winter shutoffs this afternoon. The group cited unaffordable RG&E rate hikes as an Economic Human Rights Violation. “Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees food shelter clothing and an adequate standard of living to every human begin just by being born…” said Sister Grace glaringly “…what we’re seeing today is the very real threat to entire families lives as their heat is shut off just in time for winter.” The group is documenting these stories as ‘Economic Human Rights violations’ for a possible large-scale legal action already in the works.

The meeting was advertised as RG&E shutoff problem solving. About ten women showed up, some rescheduling work to attend, and spoke of their conditions. One woman is taking care of her sister who has a spinal cord injury, and is slated with a shutoff in four days. Another is a working mother of 4 who receives no public assistance and has accumulated at $2300 bill; she is slated for shutoff November 1st. “Choosing between rent and heat aren’t acceptable choices. Poor people have been entirely left out of the decision making process on every level.” Another woman continued venting about the conditions she has to live in beneath her slight Latino accent, “Bush has got us a million miles away in Iraq killing people and spending all our money. Why doesn’t he spend money here? There are poor people dying here.”

Sister Rita commented, “This is whole situation really a byproduct of welfare reform, when I started here at House of Mercy 18 years ago people could get help at least twice a year from HEAP. Now it’s feasibly once in a lifetime. But, we think this problem is only allowed to fester because of its invisibility. Most people in Rochester don’t know how real the threats to health RG&E/ENERGY EAST is posing. If people knew, things would have to change. We have no other option left but to fight back.”

The RG&E staff member in charge of community relations reportedly called Rochester Poor People’s Coalition angered at the new organizing effort. “Every phone number she gave me lead to no solutions. The house can’t keep helping to pay every shutoff’s bill. Something needs to change…” continued Sister Grace.

Another “RG&E problem solving” session is scheduled for next Thursday, 2:00pm, RPPC meets regularly 7:00pm on Mondays; both at the House of Mercy 725 Hudson Avenue.