by Samantha LiPuma, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
London Renters Union mobilised eviction resistance in Tower Hamlets on 16 May. The family facing the eviction had lived in the same house for more than 40 years. Yet, the greedy housing association was refusing to pass down the tenancy from the family’s late parents, and instead was attempting to make the young family homeless.
Neighbours described the family as a vital part of the community, whose eviction would be deeply felt. Our goal was to ward the bailiffs and landlord off, to buy the well-loved family more time to challenge the eviction, and prevent their kids from having to lose their home and move schools.
Ready to stand up
When I and another Tower Hamlets Socialist Party member arrived at 7:15am, there were already around 20 people ready to challenge the greedy landlord and complicit bailiffs. The energy was inspiring.
The organisers began by describing the situation the family was left in, and showed us how to resist. The front line stood locked arms-in-arms, with the back two lines providing support behind, in the case of confrontation.
The formation was impenetrable and the solidarity glaring, as many bystanders and neighbours looked at us. Around 10:30am, the bailiff and landlord appeared, and just as quickly left, once seeing the solidarity of the community.
The mobilisation succeeded in preventing the eviction, and proved to landlords that they cannot act without facing the resistance of the community.