Housing and exorbitant rents have become defining issues our time – casting a shadow over the lives of working class people, but also serving as a flashpoint of struggle and politicisation for the masses. In recent years one of Nijjor Manush’s key campaigns has been the Save Brick Lane campaign and with it the issue of gentrification in the area.

For this session we will be exploring the centrality of Housing and housing campaigning in the development and defence of communities historically in the East End.

We will be looking back on how housing has been secured through the likes of the East End squatters’ movement and earlier tenants organising, and how campaigning around housing can be bound up with broader political fights, such as the struggle against fascism.

Library List

Primary

• From Sylhet to Spitafields- Shabna Begum (book) (chapter 2).  25% Discount code: LAWPRO (valid until end April)

Secondary

• Race Today articles on Bengali Housing Action Group (pg 104/105, 158/159)
• Our Flag Stays Red, Phil Piratin (book) (chapter 3)
• Home, Sweet (Squat) Home: Housing struggles in 1970s Tower Hamlets (video) 
• Critical support of renters unions (article)