On July 20, the community gathered at El Puente (211 S. 4th Street) to celebrate the life of activist and poet, David Lopez, who had passed away on July 6. These words said by Lopez, “All those who consider other people are beautiful people. Collectively we are great. Individually we all have our own journeys, but we only become great when we are together,” were placed in the middle of the event’s program. His lifelong dedication to the people of this community places him among the beautiful people.
David Lopez was born in Williamsburg in 1953. His parents moved here from Puerto Rico in the early 50’s during what was called “The Great Migration”. As he grew up his interests paralleled his community’s emergence toward activism and art. He would make a memorable mark on this neighborhood and throughout Brooklyn.
If you have lived in Williamsburg for a few years, you have probably passed by him on the street at least once. He was always wearing the shorter brimmed panama hat Puerto Rico is known for.
His Puerto Rican culture heavily influenced him. Inspired by the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group that advocated for proper health care, education, and housing conditions, Lopez joined his first march at the age of fourteen. He marched with students and educators in Ocean Hill Brownsville and skipped classes at Eastern District High School to protest with The Young Lords. During his studies at New York City Community College, he led efforts to save and preserve free tuition as well as joining in the successful effort to save Hostos Community College. After he graduated college, Lopez became an early member of Southside United HDFC – Los Sures.
“Los Sures lost one of our best this weekend. David Lopez was a neighbor, a mentor, and a friend. He was an artist, a poet, a housing advocate, and a civil rights activist. He was a fighter through and through. I will miss you dearly, my friend. Siempre Pa’lante,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso on July 11 post on X.
U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez said, “David Lopez was a friend, brother, father, tireless activist, poet, and proud Puerto Rican. His work through organizations like Brooklyn Legal Services, Los Sures, El Puente, and many others have provided countless individuals and families with the stability and support necessary to thrive. I was fortunate to work with David on issues that deeply affected our community. His dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment were always presente! Through all his efforts, David proved that one person can indeed make a difference and galvanize their community to accomplish great things.”
Evelyn Cruz, Velazquez’s longtime district liaison, became a community advocate when she met Lopez in the early 1980s. “I was a teenager, [He] and a group of Puerto Rican activists here in the Southside community of Williamsburg, were organizing young people to get engaged in the fight for housing,” she said in a Brooklyn A video from 2013.
In 1983 he was hired to coordinate the mediation process in Brooklyn’s housing court. Lopez’s efforts established the training of mediators to properly inform tenants of their rights as a priority, which made the results fairer. He would go on to the NYC Commission on Human Rights where he investigated potential abuses and violations of the City’s human rights laws. David served over twenty-five years as a human rights specialist. During this time, he played a key role in diffusing racial tension during the Crown Heights riots of 1991 and a police shooting in Washington Heights in 1992.
“David Lopez, legacy is one of service, advocacy and working on behalf of those most vulnerable in communities across NYC especially his beloved Williamsburg. David shared that legacy with many he mentored through the years and the impact of his work will always be present with us,” said Juan Ramos, executive director of Los Sures.
NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez memorialized Lopez at the July 18 NYC Council Meeting. She said, “I’d first like to recognize the passing of a giant for North Brooklyn, for Los Sures, for the Southside: David Lopez, who passed away two weeks ago. A former Young Lord, a former board chairperson for Los Sures, Brooklyn Legal Services Corp. A, and my mentor in organizing. Who taught me you show up for everybody because no one struggles by themselves.” She also offered condolences to his family and his Los Sures family.
“I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of David Lopez, a leader on the Southside of Williamsburg who fought for more affordable housing and human rights. His vision for a better City that uplifted the dignity of all New Yorkers inspired countless activists,” said NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler. “David was larger than life in his own quiet way, said Michael Rochford, executive director of St. Nicks Alliance. “He was a key person in repairing the community division around the Broadway Triangle.
David helped to end the conflict which brought the community together so Los Sures and three other local organizations could move forward on the development that will yield almost 500 units of badly needed affordable housing,” said Rochford.
Elected officials, leaders of community organizations, family, colleagues, and friends, honored David Lopez at his memorial. Among those attending were: Evelyn Cruz (for U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez), NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila, NYC Council Members Shekar Krishnan, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler, Juan Ramos (Southside United HDFC – Los Sures), and Dr. Frances Lucerna (El Puente).
David is survived by his beloved partner Anita, his son David Emeterio, his daughter Cassandra, his grandchildren Jamel, Antonique, Marcayla, and his great-grandson Ahli.
The Greenline 