There is a floor damage because of water and they made large holes both in the ceilings of the kitchen and the roof which need to be fixed urgently. Further, the fire department left the destroyed doors wide open causing people to loot the Cafe at night.

They have taken everything, from chairs and tables to sound system, merchandize, cash register, computers, televisions and the list is long. Its a huge setback in the progress we have made in serving our community. However, we are determined to rebuild the place up quickly if only the owners of the building stop threating us.

A representative Mr. Chip Ellis from Radio One which owns the building came early morning on Monday November 21st and threatened that he will not allow Mawonaj to be rebuilt because they have different plans. Of cause, the plans are "gentrification". He wants us out now!

We would like your support on this one because they must honor the lease agreement that we still have another 7 years in the building. They want to build condos in its place as oppossed to having a space for the community to gather and organize which he calls as "nonsense".

We need your help in cleanup, and rebuilding effort. Bring whatever you can bring. We want to renovate the entire building before it can reopen. Please spread the word. We would like to request our friends in the media to give us time to make these announcements as well.

For more information, you can call concei at 202.460.5929. Major cleanup will be everyday next week.

Thank you for your support as always

Concei Civela da Silva

202.460.5929