Support Najee: Eviction Judgement Fundraiser, Art Giveaway

As the pandemic began in 2020, Najee, who was already fighting with his landlord to stop the chronic leaks and mold, began a rent strike. After a years long struggle, Najee was forced out of his home and ordered to pay thousands in back rent by a housing court judge. This is not justice, and this is not the end of the struggle!

In October, Najee was violently evicted from his home in Crown Heights after 4 years on rent strike. After losing in court, Najee negotiated a settlement to pay $20,000 in back rent by January 30, 2025. However, if we do not raise this money, Najee will see the amount due jump to $50,000. Najee has supported so many of us in our movement for housing justice, now it's our time to support Najee! We are raising funds to erase his back rent debt and ensure his return to NYC to rejoin the fight!

Supporting Najee financially gives him a clean slate to return to the movement. Thank you for your support!

For every donation of 100$ or more, Najee will mail a 8.5'' by 14'' handmade broadside original artwork on 65lbs cotton paper! All are uniquely numbered and signed.

The Ask, from Najee:

'I am writing to you today in urgent need of your support. For nearly two years, Brooklyn Legal Services has represented me, Najee Wilson, in a fight for safe housing.

As an active member of the community, I have always championed housing rights, the arts, and cultural work. Sadly, for the past several years, I've endured the stress of living in substandard housing, putting my home at risk.

Facing a court judgement of nearly $50,000 for non-payment of rent, I find myself in a difficult situation.. Ideally, contributions from various donors would total at least $25,000 to secure housing stability .

The eviction judgement stems from an unjust situation. As a tenant in a rent-stabilized apartment owned by Western Estates LLC, I lived with dangerously neglected conditions for over seven years. The building has hundreds of documented violations with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), recently entering the Alternative Enforcement Program. A major leak caused extensive mold growth, literally crumbling my walls from within. Management consistently ignored my requests for repairs, offering only ineffective patch jobs by unlicensed contractors.

These conditions were not only dangerous and unlivable, but they significantly impacted my ability to work as a yoga instructor, many of my classes conducted via Zoom.

Fortunately, I became aware that HPD violations linked to leaks and mold are considered "rent impairing." Legally, this allows tenants to withhold rent if repairs aren't addressed within six months of the violation being issued. In an attempt to secure repairs, I began withholding rent in early 2020, following the law.

Sadly, the repairs never materialized. The landlord took me to court for non-payment, and ultimately won based on a technicality that denied my right to a "rent impairing violations" defense. Despite doing everything correctly, the landlord exploited a loophole in the law to their advantage.

Now burdened with substantial debt and subsequent eviction, my life has been severely impacted. The deplorable living conditions not only affected my livelihood but also triggered health issues, including asthma due to mold exposure. Combined with the pandemic, the legal battle significantly hindered my ability to find work in my field.

However, I'm close to securing new employment after leaving New York. Financial support to maintain housing stability is critically important. Without it, eviction within the next month will make long-term financial and housing stability extremely difficult.

With your help, I can avoid further debt to reach a goal to payout the settlement of $20,600 by January 29, 2025. potentially move to safer housing soon, and finally turn the corner towards a healthier future. Please consider engaging with my art fund offering financial assistance to a deserving tenant, enabling me to receive funds to rebuild and regain housing stability after an unfair judgement.'

About Risography

Risograph Printing: A Unique Art Form

Risograph printing is a distinctive technique that leverages imperfections to create stunning visual effects. By layering unprocessed inks and intentionally misaligning images, known as registration and overprinting, Risograph produces vibrant colors and unique textures that are difficult to achieve with other printing methods. Often described as "digital screen printing," this process offers the convenience of an office copier while delivering the artistic quality of traditional screen printing.

"Kindness" - A Risograph Print Series

This limited-edition Risograph print series, "Kindness," features the inspiring message "Never stop being kind, just be mindful who receives your kindness." Printed in two vibrant colors on high-quality paper, each print is a unique piece of art.

Created at the Center for Book Arts in New York City, these prints showcase dreamlike tableaux of clouds and thoughtful words about kindness. They serve as a reminder to be compassionate, especially during uncertain times.

Support Najee_

By purchasing a print from this series, you're not only acquiring a beautiful piece of art but also supporting Najee_ and their latest creative endeavors.

About Najee_

Najee Wilson, A versatile Multidisciplinary Artist, who seamlessly blends Intuitive Movement, polyrhythmic soundscapes, Film, Photography, Textiles, and found objects into their oeuvre. Rooted in Charleston and formerly based in Brooklyn, Wilson’s practice contemplates the ephemeral and the observed, catalyzing personal exploration.