NY lawmakers vote to extend eviction moratorium as Brooklyn demonstration leads to arrests

Several demonstrators who were calling for an end to eviction and rent cancellation were arrested Monday in Downtown Brooklyn.

News 12 Staff

May 3, 2021, 6:06 PM

Updated 1,293 days ago

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State lawmakers voted Monday to extend the moratorium on evictions.
A vote to extend the moratorium to Aug. 31 was expected to be passed last week, but the decision was pushed because of a clerical error. 
The vote passed on Monday. 
That vote came after several demonstrators calling for an end to evictions and rent cancellation were arrested on Monday in Downtown Brooklyn.
The demonstration began around 9:15 a.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall with a small crowd chanting but ended at 320 Jay St. with 12 people arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and civil disobedience.
They were arrested because authorities said they were blocking the street in front of the courthouse. 
Before that, they were blocking the entrances to the courthouse at they called for an end to evictions and for rent to be canceled, according to police. 
Those who protested said the delayed vote led to confusion and frustration.
Even with the extension to Aug. 31, they said the fight will not end there and that there needs to be a long-term solution in place.
The bill now heads to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk.