What Started When Hundreds of Islanders Marched To Save The Graniteville Wetlands
Jacqueline Caruso -
On Saturday, April 24, two days after Earth Day, marchers gathered on the corner of Forest Avenue and Richmond Avenue to bring awareness to one of Staten Island’s most visible struggles for climate justice: saving the Graniteville Wetlands.
If the developer, Josif A LLC, successfully fights Staten Island Coalition for Wetlands and Forests’ (SICWF) recently filed court injunction, construction will soon begin on a BJ’s Wholesale Club store, an accompanying 800 car-parking lot, and gas station. This construction would destroy nearly 20 acres of forested wetland, a move which has been contested for decades by groups like the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, SICWF, and now by the burgeoning, grassroots, social media-powered movement to save the Graniteville Wetlands that emerged in late 2020.
After months of increasing advocacy, this movement evolved into nearly 500 people who met on the day of the march to voice collective opposition to the development and has continued online with protests on social media.
Some have been part of the fight for a while; others were just getting involved. Many first time visitors to the area were taken aback by the beauty of the glittering vernal ponds and tall just-blooming trees. Some also noticed trash dumped just on the edges of the Wetlands and began a spontaneous clean-up.
The group marched down Forest Avenue for about an hour, stopping finally to rally on Morrow Street right between the proposed development and the now up-for-lease Regal UA theater. Marchers blocked traffic on one side of the road, with volunteers working to make sure marchers remained safely in one lane. A handful of NYPD officers and vehicles also created a barrier between marchers and the heavy afternoon traffic.
Protestors make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands in Staten Island on April 24, 2021. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth
The procession grew as it made its way down Forest Avenue. Observers looked on with curiosity or cheered in support. Upon arriving at the corner of Forest Avenue and Morrow Street, the marchers were greeted by a DJ booth set up by a local station, Maker Park Radio. The crowd cheered, danced, and settled into several hours of speeches, performances, and mingling.
Photographer Stephen Obisanya documented the day in photographs.
Attendees make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthBirth worker and Reproductive Justice activist Somaliah Williams wore a pin that reads “Persist, Insist, Resist” at the march to save the wetlands. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthMarch organizer and environmental activist Aly Stoffo leads the procession from Richmond to South Avenue in Staten Island. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthAmong the marchers were several candidates for elected office and their staff campaigning at the event. From left to right: activist and candidate for District 61 Assembly Leader Jasi Robinson, City Council District 49 candidate Kamillah Hanks, and City Council District 49 candidate Ranti Ogunleye, as they are photographed by Malcolm Penn of community organization True 2 Life. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthA marcher wears a mask promoting Borough President candidate and democrat Cesar Vargas. Many prospective local politicians running for office attended the march and took advantage of the gathering as a campaign opportunity ahead of the Primaries. With many of the Island's community organizations concentrated on Forest Avenue, candidates seized the chance to network and pose for photos. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthNew York City mayoral candidate, Dianne Morales, gave a speech before the march, stating, “I’m not here as a politician, but as a human being.” Morales is the only mayoral candidate to visit the Wetlands. Some criticized the presence of current and aspiring politicians for local and city-wide office as a distraction because the march was organized by a small contingent of Staten Island-based activists. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthBorough President candidate, co-founder of Staten Island Women Who March, and owner of Honor Wines, Lorie Honor, marched with a sign that reads “Protest is Patriotic” at the march to save Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthMarchers make their way down Forest Avenue. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthYesenia Matia, executive director of La Colmena, giving a speech at the rally. Also in attendance was her husband and borough president candidate Cesar Vargas who served as the march’s legal observer. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthA sign inspired by Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” at the march to save Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthLocal musicians like Saint Maurice Phillips were among the performers who showcased their talent at the post-march rally on Morrow Street. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthA marcher poses with his dog. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthProtestors gather at the end of the march. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthA marcher holds up a sign that reads “BE LESS TRASHY”. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthAt the end of Morrow Street and just at the edge of the soon-to-be developed Wetlands, a homemade banner hangs from the “END” sign and reads “We Need Our Trees”. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthParticipants of the march explored the outer edges of the nearly 30-acre forest and wetland, which is co-owned by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Charles Alpert. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the FifthAs the procession ended, protestors gathered near the large vernal pond on the corner of Morrow Street and South Avenue. According to the developer’s site plan, this pond is to be replaced by a gas station and its accompanying underground tank. Ponds like these are one of many seasonal changes that occur at a wetland. This pond will continue to grow throughout the springtime. Photograph by Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth
Cover photograph: Activists make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands in Staten Island on April 24, 2021.