Nevins Street Block Co-Named For Workers’ Rights Advocate Jon Kest

Late Brooklynite, Working Families Party founder, and New York Communities for Change Executive Director Jon Kest was one of 63 immensely important New Yorkers honored last week during a ceremony in which Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into legislation the co-naming of dozens of NYC blocks and other public places.

Jon died from liver cancer in 2012 at the age of 57. Thanks to his tremendous work during his life to stick up for some of the hardest working people in New York, however, his legacy will live on not only in those who have carried on his efforts, but on Nevins Street between Livingston Street and Flatbush Avenue as well.

Jon received praise at the ceremony from Councilmembers Stephen Levin (whose district the block is in) and Brad Lander, as well as de Blasio himself–who called Jon a “dear friend” who “inspired a generation of us to fight for real, progressive change.”

“Jon Kest was a tireless advocate for workers, disadvantaged communities, and every New Yorker in need,” said Councilmember Levin of the co-naming. “His decades of activism laid the foundations of the progressive movement and made our city a better, fairer place to live. He is sorely missed, but his legacy should inspire all of us to continue the work he started.”

And, said Lander, “I’m so glad that we have voted to co-name Nevins Street, between Livingston and Flatbush, after the incomparable organizer and my dear friend Jon Kest. Jon was taken from us far too young, but not before he had worked together with low income and disenfranchised New Yorkers to accomplish more for justice than most of us can ever dream of.

“As a leader of Acorn, New York Communities for Change, and the Working Families Party, Jon helped New Yorkers come together, organize to build power, raise their voices, and win incredible victories for living wage jobs, for affordable housing, for good schools for all our kids, and for better neighborhoods for all New Yorkers, regardless of where they come from.

“Jon has extraordinary living legacies as well, like the Fast Food Forward campaign and the campaign for worker safety and environmental justice in the carwash industry, which is fighting for justice on initiatives that he helped them get started, but this street… will serve as one more important reminder of his legacy.”

Photo via New York Communities for Change