A roadblock shut down traffic on College Avenue in Collegetown for almost an hour Monday evening following a protest on Cornell campus.
Traffic on College Avenue was shut down for almost an hour, with the roadblock parting on three occasions to allow TCAT buses to pass. The only private vehicles allowed through the roadblock were those that managed to get in front of the bus.
About 150 people had gathered at Ho Plaza to oppose the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cornell’s University and the City of Ithaca. The MOU would see Cornell University increase its Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) from $1.6 million to $4 million per year.
The new agreement would last for 21 years, with only small increases in the PILOT to account for inflation.
Were it not exempt from taxation, Cornell’s property would generate approximately $33 million a year in tax revenue for city.
The protest was organized by the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and was a Who’s Who of Ithaca’s leftist activist community. Members of the Ithaca Tenant’s Union, Ithaca Starbucks Workers United, Ithaca Working Families Party, Sunrise Movement Ithaca, Extinction Rebellion Ithaca, and the Ithaca Communist Party USA also participated.
The event was emceed by Tompkins County DSA vice chair Aurora Rojer. Rojer announced that the “safety team” were wearing pink arm bands, serving in the capacity of “police liaisons,” “medics” and “legal observers.”
Activities of the “safety team” and protestors appeared to have been directed by Ithaca Communist Party USA member Adam Hart, with the roadblock obeying his commands to part for the TCAT bus.
Members of the “safety team” attempted to block Ithaca Crime’s camera on more than one occasion, including with an umbrella. Other members of the media, including a reporter and photographer from the Ithaca Voice, appeared to move freely amongst the protestors without being accosted.
Cornell professor Risa Lieberwitz of the school of Industrial and Labor Relations spoke, followed by History professor Russell Rickford. Rickford has been a proponent of the use of roadblock tactics in Ithaca since at least 2015, which saw street demonstrations in Ithaca stemming from the death of Michael Brown.
Rickford said that while “the patriarchy up here on the hill presents itself as benevolent and generous,” it is “more like a deadbeat dad.”
Second Ward Councilperson Ducson Nguyen attended the protest along with Fourth Ward Councilpersons Jorge DeFendini and Tiffany Kumar.
Third Ward Common Council candidates Pat Sewell, David Shapiro, Pierre Saint-Perez and Nathan Sitaraman were also present along with Fifth Ward Common Council candidate Jason Houghton.
Following the protest, the group marched down College Avenue, eventually stopping on the Collegetown side of the bridge. The street march and roadblock was not permitted, and thus illegal.
Cornell Police diverted traffic at College Avenue and Campus Road, keeping traffic away from the rear of the protest.
Police dispatch audio indicates that law enforcement were closely observing the protest since it began, and that “major vehicles” like the TCAT bus were being allowed to pass.
An officer eventually requested contact information for the university’s on call media relations.
Former Working Families Party mayoral candidate Katie Sims addressed the roadblock participants by megaphone, followed by Ithaca Starbucks Workers Union member Evan Sunshine. Sunshine attained national prominence in 2022 as the “Crying barista.” Sims has previously led roadblocks of Clinton Street in front of the Ithaca Police Department.
Fourth Ward Councilpersons Jorge DeFendini and Tiffany Kumar participated in the roadblock and addressed the crowd via megaphone.
Tompkins County Legislator Veronica Pillar also participated in the roadblock. DeFendini & Pillar are members of the Ithaca Tenants Union. DeFendini is also a member of the Ithaca Solidarity Slate, a Marxist political organization and voting bloc of Common Council members.
First Ward Common Council candidate Kayla Matos participated in the roadblock along with Third Ward Common Council candidates Pierre Saint-Perez and Nathan Sitaraman. Matos and Sitamarin are also members of the Solidarity Slate.
The protestors ended their roadblock and cleared the road just before 8 PM. Cornell Police reopened College Avenue at Campus Road shortly thereafter.