Filed Date: 2003
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This lawsuit, brought in 2003 by several landlord corporations, was filed against the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition ("NWBCCC") for engaging in organizing in those landlords' buildings. In June 2006, the Bronx Supreme Court ruled that NWBCCC could file counter-claims against the five landlord corporations under NY State's anti-SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) law aimed at preventing harassing lawsuits that hinder organizing efforts. The NWBCCC was attempting to organize tenants in the corporations' buildings to call attention to substandard housing conditions and press for much-needed repairs.
According to reports, the trial court initially granted a temporary restraining order to prevent the organizers from "trespassing" onto the realty company's property. Although the court eventually held that the realty firms had failed to submit any evidence in support of its claims, it allowed the litigation to proceed for years. Meanwhile, the SLAPP suit was exceedingly effective at halting the NWBCCC's advocacy. Further, the NWBCCC incurred more than one million dollars in attorney's fees and costs, siphoning funds from the mission and serving as an effective threat to other community organizations.
In July 2008, the court granted summary judgment against the landlords and dismissed the case. See New Line Realty Corp. v. United Committees of University Heights, Case. No. 1020/1004 (N.Y. Jul. 24, 2008).
Summary Authors
Denise Heberle (7/16/2012)
Manzanet, Sallie (New York)
Manzanet, Sallie (New York)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:36 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Key Dates
Filing Date: 2003
Case Ongoing: No reason to think so
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
New York City landlords who wished to keep a community group from publishing materials concerning the deteriorating conditions of local apartment complexes.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
United Committees of University Heights, Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 2006 - None
Issues
General:
Sanitation / living conditions
Discrimination-area: