After vacating 35 Summerhill Parade following a court order, which came after the property had been occupied for over a week, a crowd of housing activists and their supporters marched from the previously occupied building through Dublin city centre to 34 North Frederick Street, where more housing activists were occupying the premises
The group, who had left Summerhill before the injunction came into place at 8am this morning, drew a crowd upwards of sixty people who were voicing their opposition to the housing crisis. A moment of silence was held at the Garden of Remembrance out of respect for all those who have died homeless and for those who are struggling through the crisis now. When the march arrived to it’s destination on North Frederick Street, the chants continued and a number of speakers spoke to the crowd, highlighting that the crisis continues as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government was nowhere to be seen. Following a protest at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in which demonstrators occupied the Customs House for roughly 6 hours, it was agreed that the Minister would meet with representatives from a number of the groups involved.
The building currently occupied has been empty for three years, a spokesperson for the occupation said, in the midst of the worst housing crisis in the history of the Irish state.
“Summerhill was only the tip of the iceberg. We’re ready to keep going.” a statement released by the group read. The statement reiterated the demands made by the group that the house previously occupied on Summerhill Parade, as well as the currently occupied 34 North Frederick Street, be compulsory purchased by Dublin City Council and given to the local community. They wished to highlight that private, vacant properties can, and should be put into public ownership. Another demand made was for fair rent and security for all tenants, with a ban on all evictions proposed, as well as a rent cap of 20% of the occupant’s income or at €300 per room maximum.
For anyone interested in taking direct action against the housing crisis, the Facebook page for the occupation can be found here.
