HPDBC Chapter 12 Allies
Chapter 12 Allies
Leo looked at the envelope in his hand; the banknotes inside were crumpled and tattered.
He could feel dozens of eyes watching him, eyes filled with expectation and trust.
He did not refuse.
He knew it wasn't just about money.
This is the first contract he has made with this community.
He solemnly accepted the envelope.
"Thank you everyone," he said. "I assure you, I will use this money where it is most needed. I will do everything in my power to protect our home."
Applause erupted from the crowd once again.
Roosevelt's voice echoed in his mind.
"Very good, child. You earned bread through your labor, and your labor served the people. Remember this feeling, and never forget it."
After the mobilization meeting, Leo did not go home immediately.
He was kept behind by Margaret, George, and several other core members of the community.
They sat around a long table and began to discuss their next steps.
Leo took out paper and pen; his role had shifted from listener to organizer.
"First, we need to resubmit our tax relief application to the city government," Leo said. "This time, we can't just submit the application form; we must attach a detailed legal opinion explaining every legal basis for our eligibility for the relief."
"Secondly, we need to submit an inquiry letter to the city council's oversight committee regarding the legality of this auction process. We want to publicly question why there was only one bidder in this auction, and whether there was any transfer of benefits involved."
"Finally, for next week's protests, we can't just chant slogans. We need to prepare clear leaflets that explain the ins and outs of the matter and the relationship between Summit Development and Mayor Cartwright to every citizen and reporter present."
Every step he proposed was clear, specific, and well-reasoned.
The elderly listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
For the first time, they felt that their protest was no longer an emotional outburst, but a strategic and purposeful battle.
The meeting went on until late at night.
When Leo dragged his exhausted body back to his apartment, it was already past midnight.
The first thing he did was take some money out of the envelope.
The next morning, he went to pay the rent that was a month overdue.
The landlord's expression softened considerably when he saw that he had taken out cash.
Then he went to the supermarket and bought two large bags of food, filling the empty refrigerator.
Bread, milk, eggs, luncheon meat, pasta, and lots of frozen vegetables.
As he ate his long-awaited breakfast, he felt as if he had finally come back to life.
The anxiety about survival was temporarily suppressed.
He could finally devote all his energy to the battles to come.
Over the next few days, Leo practically made the community center his home.
He spent his days in the university's law library, researching all the legal provisions related to non-profit organization taxes and municipal auction procedures.
In the evening, he returned to the community center and worked with Margaret and the others to organize materials and write documents.
His legal research and organizational skills impressed the elderly people in the community.
They originally thought he was just a young man who could say a few nice words.
But what they see now is a rigorous, focused, and tireless warrior.
In the process, Leo also gained his first real allies.
Margaret Davis, the head of the community center, became his guide in this working-class community.
She lived here her whole life, knew everyone, and knew the stories of every family.
She took Leo with her and visited each household, introducing him to the neighbors as "the legal advisor we hired ourselves."
With her endorsement, Leo was quickly accepted into this xenophobic working-class community.
Another important ally arrived somewhat unexpectedly.
He is the head of the community center, Frank Kowalski, a retired steelworkers union leader.
He has a fiery temper and a stubborn personality.
At first, he was filled with hostility and suspicion towards Leo.
On the night of the mobilization meeting, he sat in the farthest corner, observing coldly.
After Leo started organizing, Frank would come to the community center every day, not saying a word, just silently watching Leo work.
It wasn't until the third day, when Leo was arguing heatedly with the library's archives manager over the details of a legal provision, that Frank spoke to him for the first time.
"Kid, you're not putting on a show," Frank said in his hoarse voice.
Leo hung up the phone and looked at him.
"I've seen too many politicians come here to cheat for votes. They talk a good game, but all they care about is their own interests," Frank said. "But you're different. There's fire in your eyes."
From that day on, Frank became Leo's most steadfast supporter.
He brought along his old comrades from the union.
These retired workers, despite their advanced age, still maintain the organization and discipline of union members.
They became Rio's most reliable "base".
They were responsible for distributing leaflets, organizing phone mobilizations, and contacting every family in the community.
Leo's third ally represents the power of the younger generation.
Her name is Sarah Jenkins, a sociology student at the University of Pittsburgh and a volunteer at the community center.
She had been quietly helping Margaret with some paperwork.
Leo's speech deeply moved her.
Sarah used her technical skills to create a dedicated Facebook page and Twitter account for the "Defend the Community Center" campaign.
She transformed the materials Leo wrote exposing the inside stories into easy-to-understand pictures and short videos.
She also posted the video of Leo's speech online with subtitles.
This content began to spread rapidly on local Pittsburgh social media.
More and more people are starting to pay attention to this matter.
And so, a simple team was miraculously born in a dilapidated community center.
Margaret was in charge of ground organization in the community.
Frank was responsible for mobilizing the core union forces.
Sarah was in charge of online propaganda and mobilization.
Leo, on the other hand, is the brains and commander-in-chief of this team.
Roosevelt observed all of this and made his own assessment in his mind.
"Very good, a good start. You now have a loyal army that knows the terrain well and is capable of fighting positional warfare."
"But," he added, "that's far from enough."
"You can't go from community to community giving speeches, and you can't win an election with just a Facebook page."
"We need a megaphone that can make your voice heard throughout Pittsburgh."
"We need air support, we need the air force."