About

Mission

The Washington Street Advocacy Group is an organization that uses creative, guerrilla advocacy tactics to promote historic preservation and historical memory in Lower Manhattan and across New York City.

Its primary goals are to preserve the last remaining buildings of the "Little Syria" neighborhood on Washington Street and achieve a public memorial for the Arab-American writers associated with this area.

Todd Fine

Todd Fine holds a PhD degree in American history, focusing on the intellectual history of the Cold War, historic preservation in New York City, and Arab-American literature. He is passionate about creative advocacy related to public history, in particular artist Sara Ouhaddou's monument to Arab-American literature to be unveiled in Lower Manhattan's Elizabeth Berger Plaza. Due to current events, he has shifted focus to the rising influence of anti-democratic politics and fascist ideology in Silicon Valley.

Todd's academic background spans Harvard University and the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He has published widely in academic and popular media on topics ranging from Arab-American cultural heritage to public art policy.

Approach

WSAG works through relentless research, media campaigns, coalition building, public testimony, FOIL requests, and creative public engagement. The group has collaborated with organizations including the Coalition for a 100% Affordable 5 World Trade Center, Friends of the Lower West Side, the Harlem Historical Society, and numerous Arab-American cultural organizations.

The group's advocacy has been covered by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, BBC, The Guardian, Al-Jazeera, Reuters, Associated Press, and dozens of other outlets.