Council Member Fernando Cabrera, who represents the 14th City Council District, issued the following statement on Thursday, March 25, in remembrance of the victims of the 1990 Happy Land Social Club Fire, in which the lives of 87 members of the Honduran and Garifuna community were tragically lost. As reported by The New York Times, the victims died when a jealous lover set a fire at the Happy Land Social Club in the West Farms section of the Bronx.

 

“On this day in 1990, 87 Bronx lives were tragically lost, mostly members of the Honduran and Garifuna community. The Happy Land Social Club fire has been called the largest mass murder in U.S. history and was the worst fire in the history of New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, ironically on the same day, in 1911,” said Cabrera.

 

He continued, “Although thirty-one years have passed, we will never forget the lives that were lost, mostly young people whose futures lay brightly ahead of them, and whose contributions to their community, the borough of the Bronx and New York City were not to be realized. Although a movie, television show episodes and songs have been created about this terrible event, those of us who remember these members of the collective Bronx family will always know them as friends, family and neighbors. We remain thankful for their lives and we will never forget them.”

 

Norwood News recently reported on the dangers of stalking and intimate partner violence, as well as tips on how to help with such situations.

 

The Bronx NYC Family Justice Center is located at 198 E 161st St, The Bronx, NY 10451 and can be reached by calling (718) 508-1220. The center is physically closed temporarily since the pandemic hit but services and support remain available by phone. Learn more here.

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, help is available.

• Call 311 to be connected to the nearest NYC Family Justice Center
• Find resources and support in NYC by searching the City’s NYC HOPE Resource Directory
• Call the City’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673) for immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other resources. TTY: 800-810-7444

 

In an emergency, dial 911.

 

Safe Horizon Services Agency is affiliated with Montefiore Medical Group, and is based at 2530 US-1, The Bronx, NY 10458. The organization can be reached by calling  (718) 933-1000.

 

New York City offers a 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (1-800-621-4673). There may be resources available to help, including temporary housing, emergency shelter, and supportive services for yourself and your children.

 

For LGBTQ domestic violence issues, NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Program can be contacted at 212-714-1141. For people with disabilities, Barrier-Free Living can be contacted at 212-533-4358.