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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

In front of multiple wooden doors there are four low-rise beds with four males laying down on them.

New York City’s only refugee shelter is out of space

I sat down with We Are Not Afraid staff member Stephanie Gaitan to talk about the state of New York City’s only refugee shelter.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer December 14, 2022

A seasonably cold and misty day gripped the city early Sunday afternoon. As I looked out my East Village window, I was preparing my desk to conduct an interview, opening my laptop...

The New Jersey side tower of the George Washington Bridge.

Opinion: New York housing programs shouldn’t exclude immigrants

One New York state assemblymember is introducing a bill that would help keep families out of overcrowded shelters, terrible conditions and in homes, regardless of their immigration status. The bill should be passed.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer December 6, 2022

Many of the families staying at The Hotel Wolcott on West 31st Street in Manhattan’s Midtown are not in the Big Apple for a holiday vacation. They aren’t some of the thousands...

A New York City street in the winter. A pile of garbage covered in snow on the side of the street.

Opinion: Get involved with community service around New York City

Don’t continue romanticizing what the city offers without contributing to making it a better place to live.
Molly Koch, Contributing Writer September 12, 2022

A woman shouts at three New York City Police Department officers.

Mutual aid org. fights police presence in Washington Square Park

During an aid distribution event at Washington Square Park last month, police officers displaced unhoused people living in the park, discarded their belongings and made several arrests. Now, the organization behind the event is pushing back.
Tori Morales, Deputy News Editor September 5, 2022

A mutual aid group for low-income people living in and around Washington Square Park is calling for more protections for unhoused people after police forcefully removed a family...

Two people hang up a protest banner on the exterior façade of a building covered with scaffolding.

Opinion: NYU students should do more to help New York City’s unhoused population

Mayor Eric Adams’ recent campaign to ramp up sweeps of unhoused encampments makes it more important than ever for NYU students to take the initiative and support their neighbors in need.
Steph Wittstruck, Contributing Writer May 4, 2022

Amid Mayor Eric Adams' ongoing aggressive campaign against unhoused New Yorkers, the principles of mutual aid are more relevant than ever. NYU students hold a unique position in...

A crowd of people stand and walk around a park surrounded by city buildings and an arch monument under a clear blue sky.

Editorial: The NY Post is lying to you about homelessness around NYU

The right-wing media wants you to hate unhoused people. Don’t let them egg you on.
WSN Editorial Board April 11, 2022

Infamous right-wing media outlets baselessly demonized unhoused people following a March 28 egging incident on NYU’s campus. The culprit was never identified, but these rags...

RxHome set up installations in Columbus Park on Oct. 29 and in Astor Place Plaza from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7. RxHome seeks to end homelessness by drawing NYC voters’ attention to the current system that deprives homeless individuals of benefits and rights. (Image courtesy of RxHome)

Interactive maze exhibit at Astor Place educates on homeless issues

RxHome NYC, an organization dedicated to addressing the struggles that homeless people face in New York City, opened a maze exhibit titled “The Way Home” at Astor Place from Nov. 3-7.
Talia Barrington, Contributing Writer November 17, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated New York City’s problems with homelessness. As shelters shut down and income insecurity soared, homeless people became even more vulnerable....