Fed Up Residents Establish "Tent City"
Thursday, July 22, 2010(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Enraged over Mayor Fenty’s back flip on promises to provide
affordable housing, dozens of DC's Shaw neighborhood residents, homeless
activists and community allies – led by ONE DC and Take Back the Land – have
established a ‘tent city’ on the corner of 7th and R Streets, NW to draw
attention to the human right to housing. “Our stand is one of the people
against the industrial greed of a corrupt Mayor,” said one occupant, who spoke
on condition of anonymity, “housing should be developed to promote community,
not wealth!” Residents of Shaw were promised that the block of land now
occupied by the activists, Parcel 42, would be converted into affordable
housing. However, residents argue that Mayor Fenty has reneged on his agreement
and plans to “convert the space into upscale condominiums, damaging the
chances of working people” to qualify for housing. Cavonn Ellis-Smith, an
early activist in the settlement, told Union City Wednesday, “This is not just
an organization – rather, it is people coming together for people.” DC Jobs
with Justice urges the labor community to “stop by to show your support, and
bring water or snacks for the campers!” Click here for more
information. – report/photo by Joseph Daniels, AFL-CIO Union
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