THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE SITTING ON THE COUCH:
1. Make a video statement for #SaveNYC. No fancy equipment needed! Takes 5 minutes! Use your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera, upload to Youtube, and send in the link. Follow this link for full instructions on what we’re asking for. If you’re feeling extra lazy or shy, take a photo of yourself with a #SaveNYC sign–like this.
2. Sign the petition to support the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. After you sign it, share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, everywhere. Click here for the petition.
3. Send a daily tweet to the mayor, borough presidents, public advocate, and City Council members. Use the hashtag #SaveNYC.
Find all their Twitter handles right here.
Here are some sample tweets you can cut and paste. Just precede each one with the Twitter handles of your choice:
Tell Albany to pass a vacancy tax to stop high-rent blight! #SaveNYC
Pass the Small Business Jobs Survival Act! #SBJSA #SaveNYC
Zone to control the spread of chain stores in the city! #SaveNYC
Bring back commercial rent control! #SaveNYC
4. Send e-mails to members of the New York City Council and to Speaker Corey Johnson, asking them to sponsor the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. Send your note to as many as you can. Simply edit, cut, and paste from the following samples.
Find their contact information here.
Dear Councilmember NAME:
I am writing you to ask you to sign on and co-sponsor Int. 0402-2014 (The Small Business Jobs Survival Act). Day after day, New York is losing its small businesses. They are being priced out, chased out, and gentrified out of places where they’ve been for decades. The unique cultural fabric of the city is being destroyed, replaced with bland national chains. I care deeply about the character and culture of our city. Small businesses are invaluable and irreplaceable. They help our neighborhoods stay alive and vital. Our small businesses need protections. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to seeing this bill on the docket of the Small Business Committee soon.
Your Constituent,
5. Send e-mails to members of the New York City Council and to Speaker Johnson, asking them to take action to stop the spread of national chains in the city. Send your note to as many as you can. Simply edit, cut, and paste from the following samples.
Find their contact information here.
Dear Councilmember NAME:
I am writing you to ask you to help to stop the spread of national chains in the city. Day after day, New York City is losing its small businesses. They are being priced out, chased out, and gentrified out of places where they’ve been for decades. The unique cultural fabric of the city is being destroyed, replaced with bland national chains that are turning the city into Anywhere, USA. According to a recent report, almost 40% of stores in New York City are now national chains. That number is only getting higher. I care deeply about the character and culture of our city. Small businesses are invaluable and irreplaceable. They help our neighborhoods stay alive and vital. They need strong protections. Follow San Francisco’s example, where “formula retail” is controlled and limited for the purpose of maintaining neighborhood individuality. Protect the cultural heritage of our city—before it’s too late. Thank you for your time and attention.
Your Constituent,
FEELING MORE AMBITIOUS? READY TO GET OFF THAT COUCH?
1. Download and print the #SaveNYC sign. Post it around town, hand it out to small businesses for display in their stores. Click here.
2. Check the #SaveNYC Events page to find out what’s happening next. Click here.
3. Join the #SaveNYC Facebook page and be an active participant. Share ideas and strategies. Meet up with group members. Launch activities. Click here.
4. Attend a Community Board meeting in whatever neighborhood you care about and speak your mind. Bring a group of friends with you. Be a gang! Make some noise! Find CB meetings here.
5. Take #SaveNYC to the streets. Make up some #SaveNYC stickers and stick them. Or use chalk — write #SaveNYC all over town. Find a way to spread the word.