On Wednesday, October 17, SAJE and over 100 allies from across Los Angeles showed their solidarity for the tenant families who live in the last three buildings that remain across from the Staples Center and the new Nokia Theater which held its lavish ribbon-cutting ceremony a few hours later.
The diverse crowd all showed up to draw a line in the sand against displacement in Los Angeles and to demand the right to the city.
"There isn't any place for folks to go anymore," says Davin Corona, SAJE Director of Organizing, "Most tenants have lived here for many years, and when they're pushed out in this accelerated housing market, they don't have any housing options at all."
"We're here to send a clear message that we're not opposed to development but it's critical that development benefit everyone," said Corona.
Of the three buildings, one was illegally vacated in a matter of weeks by its notorious slumlord, while desperate tenants are holding on in the other two.
Demonstrators chanted "We Still Live Here, Don't Push Us Out," as a banner containing the same words was dropped from the roof of the building. Media coverage helped further expose the situation as a crisis impacting many vulnerable communities.
It also helped to position the struggle for housing in Los Angeles in relationship to displacements occuring all across the world which are highlighted by the "Zero Evictions Day" effort.
Thank you to all of our allies from all across the world who supported this effort.
For video and photos of the action,
go to the SAJE website.
SAJE (STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR A JUST ECONOMY)
