Philadelphia
A long anticipated confrontation between residents fighting for housing justice and the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department, protecting gentrifiers’ interests, broke out Aug. 8 — 30 days after the start of a protest “tent city.”
Around 70 low-income Black and Brown residents of the University City Townhomes, on the corner of Market and 40th Streets, had protested their pending eviction, scheduled for Sept. 8. To draw public and media attention to their struggle to retain affordable housing and remain in their community, the residents and supporters set up 15 to 20 tents on the site July 9. Large banners around the area proclaimed it “the People’s Townhomes.”
A barrier fence made from wooden pallets secured together and painted with colorful slogans surrounded the complex. Some of the signs attached called out the owner Brett Altman: “Shame on Altman; Don’t treat us like trash!”
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