Today’s tenant convoy was a great success!
We drove through the Central, Durand, Corktown, Stinson, Gibson, Landsdale, and Beasley neighbourhoods and made key stops at high-rise buildings owned by some of the biggest landlord in Hamilton: Timbercreek, Starlight, Effort Trust, Westbury, Greenwin, and Valery Homes. These are corporate landlords owning thousands of apartments and worth millions (and in many cases, billions) of dollars in assets. These landlords are squeezing tenants of every last dollar, to the point where we have nothing left over for food.
Everywhere we went people waived, raised fists, honked horns, cheered and hollered. Many tenants came out on their balconies to listen to speeches from the convoy below. Our hotline was lit up with calls all day.
May 1st marks the second rent due date since the coronavirus economic downturn -- our savings have run out and many of us won’t be able to make rent. You could see the relief on people’s faces when they heard the speeches and realized that they aren’t alone. Many of their neighbours are in the same position as them and there is a growing movement of tenants across Hamilton who will have each other’s backs during this crisis (and for whatever landlords try to do afterwards).
Props to everyone who decorated their car or bike with signs and decorations and joined the convoy. Special thanks to those who came out from the Hamilton & District Labour Council. Tenants are workers. And without wages from bosses, there should be no rent for landlords.
It can be hard to find ways to safely connect with each other or to show up together in public to protest injustice during COVID-19. But a convoy of cars with a loudspeaker, microphone, banners, and signs seems to be an effective tactic, at least to get the message out.
Next comes the most important part: Organizing with your neighbours to prepare for the landlord’s response to non-payment of rent. Over the next days and weeks landlords will try to intimidate and bully tenants one-by-one. You will be in a much better position if you can respond as a group with your neighbours.
If you need help with organizing, please reach out:
- Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/KeepYourRentHamilton
- Tenant hotline: 289-779-0758
- Email: keepyourrenthamilton@gmail.com
- Website (FAQs, legal info, organizing resources): www.keepyourrenthamilton.com
#KeepYourRentHamOnt #KeepYourRent #HamOnt #MayDay #RentStrike
