Supporters Rally To Help Elderly Woman Keep Little Italy Apartment

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A rally to help an elderly woman keep her Little Italy apartment was held Saturday.

Adele Sarno, 85, was due to be evicted on Monday, but a judge this week put things on hold until April 13.

The delay gave supporters, including civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, time to sift through years of legal paperwork.

"Maybe there's a way for everyone to come together and try to be thoughtful in resolving this amicably," Siegel said.

A handful of supporters gathered outside the museum Saturday to protest the eviction.

"For the community you represent, so-called the Italian-American nationality, shame, shame on you that you're acting in this way and trying to destroy the neighborhood," said Little Italy business owner Perry Criscitelli.

Sarno has lived in her apartment since 1962, when rent was $150 a month. She now pays $820 a month for her apartment.

Her landlord, which happens to be the Italian American Museum, wants the market rate $3,500.