For way too long Michael Rawson has this very strange habit....he taunts the Veteran Vendors ....I left a message for Capt. Winski asking why Michael Rawson, the manager of The Mercer Hotel feels the need to exit out of the exit he does, walk past the Vets and Artist Vendors laughing at them like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, multi tasking walking, talking, taunting as he gabs on his cel phone. How many times in the past has this happened, including sometimes joyfully taunting the Vets adding he is on the phone with the NYPD, calling the police on them with delight? This is an adult male in a managerial position representing The Mercer Hotel and this is how he treats our Veterans who served our Country?
So after I was told this news, I decided to call the NYPD. I just learned about this now but it happened Thursday. I have been very busy with CityTime including calling Comptroller Liu's office directing him to the video tapes I posted of the press conference by Local 375 and many other Unions because Sept. 30 is renewal and I along with so many others are calling for a stop to renewing CityTime so I have been very busy.
I have a question for you. What does it say on almost every FDNY fire truck in New York?
It says, "Support our Troops". How many FDNY, NYPD and EMS downtown that died heroically in the line of duty where highly decorated by their departments and also by our Country serving our Country in the military? Way too many.
After World War 2 we had the GI bill, we had housing for our Vets but now often our Vets are treated the way Michael Rawson treats them.
The gentleman pictured in this photo is a Korean War Veteran. He is 79 years old. He is handicapped. Walking is difficult. He was not handicapped by serving but he is perhaps to full of pride to get the proper identification and paper work for a handicap person. To see him stand up and walk is upsetting. He wears bands around each leg above his ankles. When he did not he would fall. If people tried to help him up, he demanded they not help him. He is waiting for physical therapy right now from the Veteran's Hospital but the VA hospital is very, very backed up.
I have suggested to the Vet that Rawson's behavior is perhaps harassment because the Vet who told me this story and was upset was and is minding his own business and working so in theory is this work place harassment? Is it harassment and perhaps next time he needs to call the NYPD directly and file a complaint.
The FDNY says "Support Our Troops" I say "Support Our Veterans as well!"
I have been very busy with the Unions covering a press conference with many Union members speaking and standing together saying No To CityTime being renewed. The speeches were deeply moving and represented many New Yorkers that reminded me of the Vets and Artist struggling to earn a living and continue on here in NYC. I filmed the many speeches at City Hall and posted on a new channel I created on YouTube.
BloombergNoCityTime so I have been very busy with the Unions here in NYC but if I have to switch gears back to the Mercer Hotel than I must.
If it means a series of protests with Veterans and handicap Veterans parking their vehicles on both sides of the street in front of The Mercer Hotel protesting Michael Rawson's treatment of the Veterans than that is what I will do. If I am forced to organize protests, I know the FDNY can't get politically involved but I would hope they would drive by very slowly during our protests with their fire trucks that say Support our Troops because that goes for our Veterans as well!!!
I also still don't understand about the parking situation but more on that later if need be.
cc: NYPD, City Council Woman Chin
Folks please note:
I have so many postings on Michael Rawson and The Mercer Hotel -- the on going harassment of Veteran Vendors, how Rawson calls the NYPD on them all the time but look at this and how I could not get the NYPD to even look at this....
