Protests on Saturday
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Thousands demonstrate against high rents in Berlin
Hardly affordable living space, rising rents: the tense housing market drove thousands onto the streets again on Saturday. This is intended to increase the pressure on the issue before the elections to the Bundestag and the House of Representatives.
Thousands of people demonstrated in Berlin on Saturday for a different housing and rent policy. According to the police, more than 7,000 people took to the streets against “rent madness”, reports the EPD news agency. An action alliance called for a change in policy for affordable housing. Among other things, a nationwide rent cap was demanded on banners.
The Berlin initiative “Expropriate Deutsche Wohnen Co.” also took part in the demonstration with their own cars and costumes. On September 26, Berliners will not only be called to vote for the Bundestag and the House of Representatives. You can also vote on the referendum of the expropriation initiative. She calls for the socialization of large private housing associations.
According to the police, only several hundred people appeared at the start on Alexanderplatz at noon. The organizers had expected significantly more participants and registered a demonstration with up to 20,000 participants. After a rain shower in the afternoon, however, the protest field had clearly thinned, according to an rbb reporter who observed the protest.
“Tanzdemo” joins the rent protest
The demonstration under the motto “Living for everyone! Together against high rents and displacement” leads from Alexanderplatz to the Brandenburg Gate and on towards the Großer Stern on Strasse des 17. Juni. The final rally is to take place there by 5 p.m. The large demonstration is supported by trade unions and social and welfare associations. The organizers expect up to 30,000 participants. They appeal to all demonstrators to wear a corona mask and to keep their distance.
Also on Saturday afternoon (3 pm) a “dance demo” with the title “Who owns the city? Together against social division” will move from Friedrichshain via Leipziger Strasse and Potsdamer Platz to Tempelhof.
From Alexanderplatz into the rain
Tenants’ Association and DGB have called for protest
“The rents are far too high, new apartments can hardly be found. The housing situation of many tenants has deteriorated dramatically in the last ten years. The run on concrete gold threatens our homes,” said the call for the demonstration. The spokesman for the nationwide rent freeze campaign, Matthias Weinzierl, declared the “rent question” to be the most important social question of the present. The Federal Homeless Aid Association also called on Friday to take part in the demonstration. The supporters also include the German Tenants’ Association and the German Trade Union Confederation.
The Berlin Senate campaigned for new legal regulations in the Federal Council on Friday. The countries would have to Regulation of rental markets should be given more rights.
According to the organizers, 10,000 people took to the streets at a rental demonstration on Whitsun in May. The police then counted 2,500 demonstrators.
At the same time as the Bundestag and House of Representatives elections, the Berliners will vote on the expropriation of large real estate companies on September 26th. If there is a majority for the project, the future Senate will have to deal with it.
Broadcast: Inforadio, 09/10/2021, 11:30 a.m.
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