Anti-eviction success!

A successful anti-eviction protest in Leytonstone, east London (Click to enlarge)

At less than a day's notice, around 20 activists turned out in Leytonstone, east London, to stop an eviction on 17 October. The family, with three children, including a two-week old baby, had been left facing the streets after bad advice and delays by Waltham Forest council and its 'arms-length management company' Ascham Homes.

Facing homelessness

Their private landlord had decided to sell and they had been unable to find another private landlord who would accept them because they are unemployed. Despite having applied for council housing and given a month's warning to the council of what was happening, no action was taken.

They were eventually advised to get their stuff out and then go to the housing office and declare themselves homeless. On this basis there would be no guarantee of not being put into bed and breakfast accommodation or of more than one room for the five of them. We didn't accept this.

Socialist Party members joined Unite Community activists and others blockading the door of the flat when the bailiff arrived and then occupying Ascham Homes until keys were handed over for a new, suitable home.

Sarah Wrack, Waltham Forest Socialist Party

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

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