DOZENS more flats were seized by occupiers of the Aylesbury housing estate yesterday after a march opposing gentrification brought hundreds onto the streets of south London.

The March for the Aylesbury saw over 300 local residents and campaigners walk to the estate demanding more and better social housing.

But the peaceful demonstration was troubled by confrontations between protesters, private security and police outside the heavily guarded council estate.

According to campaigners’ reports, private security guards were seen “punching and hitting” protesters while local police seemed unaware that the estate was public property.

“The Aylesbury will not sit empty, waiting for demolition. We who have need of it, will make use of it,” Fight for the Aylesbury activists said in a statement.

“We won’t wait in vain for the council to change their policies — we will take control of housing conditions ourselves.”

The Aylesbury occupation now takes over 12 floors of office and residential space earmarked for demolition.

Almost 40 occupiers have invited others to join them, arguing that while squatting could sound “like a crazy thing to do” it was a necessary step.

“Affordable, stable housing is becoming rarer and rarer,” they said.

“Breaking with the bare comforts of the status quo and retaking the houses in which we want to live is the only scheme by which we can save our homes.”

After the protest local Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition-Left Unity parliamentary candidate Nick Wrack told the Star how Southwark Council was “implementing a policy of social cleansing.”

The Camberwell & Peckham candidate added: “Working-class council tenants are being moved out of the area to make way for expensive new homes which most won’t be able to afford.

“It’s becoming impossible to live in inner London as a working-class person and we need to build affordable social homes.”

“We need to cap private rents and we need to take the banks and finance companies into public ownership so that we can provide affordable mortgages.”
joanaramiro@peoples-press.com