War Veteran Kicked Out of His Home — Bumpy Johnson Bought the Building, Let Him Stay Free

Описание: The landlord wanted them out. Bumpy Johnson wanted them to stay. 🕊️

In October 1966, James Washington—a decorated World War II veteran of the legendary 761st Tank Battalion—faced a battle he couldn't win with a rifle. After 23 years in his Harlem home, he was handed an eviction notice. The goal? Forced displacement to hike up the rents. But the "Godfather of Harlem" had a different plan.

In this episode of State of Streets, we deconstruct the strategic, cold-calculated brilliance of Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson. This wasn't a street war; it was an economic takeover. Discover how Bumpy used $50,000 and a "phantom" corporation to outmaneuver a predatory landlord, securing the homes of 20 families and establishing a legacy of tenant power that lasted for decades.

"In Harlem, the law lived in books, but justice lived on the corner."

STORY SUMMARY:
In the mid-1960s, Harlem faced a silent crisis: "Economic Displacement." Landlords like Robert Morrison were systematically evicting long-term, low-income tenants to flip buildings for profit. When James Washington, a 72-year-old Purple Heart recipient, was targeted, the community turned to the only man with the power to push back.
This deep dive explores the five-point strategy Bumpy Johnson used to save 247 West 142nd Street:
Intel: Investigating the landlord’s entire portfolio.
The Buyout: Offering a price Morrison couldn't refuse.
Shadow Financing: Using street-earned capital to fund community stability.
Tenant Governance: Creating the first-ever tenant-run management board.
The Deterrent: Sending a message to every landlord in Manhattan.

VIEWER HOOKS:
The Veteran’s Plight: Why a hero of the 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Battalion was almost left homeless.
The $50,000 Chess Move: How Bumpy bought the building without the owner ever knowing who he was.
The Secret Board: The revolutionary way Bumpy gave power back to the residents.
The Ghost of 142nd St: Why this building remained affordable for 20 years after Bumpy’s death.

CTA:
Join the Discussion:
Bumpy Johnson is often remembered for his role in the underworld, but stories like James Washington’s show a different side of "The Godfather."

Do you think Bumpy’s methods of "community justice" were more effective than the legal system of the 60s? * Drop a "🕊️" if you respect how he handled this veteran’s situation.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to State of Streets for more deep dives into the 1990s-style true crime history of the American underworld.

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - The Morning of October 14, 1966
1:45 - James Washington: A Hero of the 761st Tank Battalion
3:30 - The Eviction: Predatory Landlords in 1960s Harlem
5:15 - A Meeting on Lenox Ave: Calling Bumpy Johnson
7:40 - Bumpy’s 5-Point Strategic Takeover
10:10 - The Secret $50,000 Real Estate Deal
12:55 - Power to the People: The Tenant Management Board
15:20 - The Legacy of 247 West 142nd Street
17:45 - Justice Outside the Courtroom

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