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Why can't we afford to live in our homes? It's the burning question on most Londoners' minds and the starting point for a debate at DIY Space later this month, which promises to offer a 'radical toolkit' in response to the housing crisis. The talk is part of Anti-Gentrification Month which sees the Feminist Library team up with those gutsy mums from Focus E15 to host a series of events throughout July.
Tomorrow (July 2) artists, writers and musicians will be taking over the Feminist Library in order to raise some much-needed cash for a new premises. Expect intimate lift readings, a choral installation (whatever that entails), plus a ton of feminist zines and literature for you to peruse. Award-winning novelist Ali Smith will be reading from her new book 'Public Library and Other Stories'.
If you'd rather be fighting for your housing rights out on the streets, come rain or shine, head to Sylvia's Corner in Limehouse to get the lowdown on Sylvia Pankhurst's struggle for equality from author of ‘Suffragette, Socialist and Scourge of Empire’ Katherine Connelly.
As the website so aptly puts it 'The face of gentrification is different for all of us, yet it is the same forces of neo-liberalism, marketisation and public service cuts that are pushing us out in favour of profit making ventures: luxury flats instead of social housing, businesses instead of libraries, private gyms instead of community centres. This is increasing the vulnerabilities of the most vulnerable in our society, erasing the diversity of our communities and creating a city that is increasingly divided on the basis of class, race, ethnicity and other inequalities.'
So, basically, if half your wages go on rent and your local is full of twats, go along and show your support.
Check the website for more details.