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"The last tenant is being escorted from the hotel. He wants to make a statement."

_I am crippled, and I am deaf, and I am very old. I am alone here, and they put me in the street. I want freedom, the principle of American democracy in the richest country in the world. Do you think our mayor has …

Outside my door, I know the corridor is filled with the second contingent. Wet towel’s tucked under the door to stop the teargas. My mattress is outside, blocking the landing. Folks packed in like sitting sardines, arms locked and waiting. Police’s got to drag them out one by one. Then finally, the…

“Looks like the whole city coming to save the hotel.”

“I hope so.”

The chanting never stops. It’s coming out of loudspeakers everywhere. The whole place is wired for sound.

THE PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED.
THE PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED.
STOP THE EVICTION! WE WON’T MO…

Finally I say, “Joe might be thinking like this. Eminent domain, buy-back, realistically, it can never happen. Something gets proposed, goes to court, court agrees, knocks it down, you get an appeal, goes back to the city, win, lose, buying time—not buy back, just buying time.”

“You mean, we’re …

Macario and I take public transportation back to the hotel. I think out loud to Macario. “Bus is like the hotel. For the people.”

Macario nods. “Sorry about the car, Felix.”

I shrug. “Forget it.” I continue my thinking. “You know this eminent domain? Got sides to it.”

“Yeah,” Macario agree…