In this update, an SOS organizer shares their experience restarting organizing efforts during the pandemic. About a year and a half ago, organizing efforts kicked off at Walnut Grove around a few issues: building security, lack of communal space, and management being disrespectful to some tenants and not maintaining their apartments at the 209-unit, 2-building…
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In this post, an SOS organizer reflects on a quick device to get in touch with tenants: a rapid-turnover newsletter in English and Spanish. In early April we got connected with tenants at Richman Towers, a 57-unit building at the corner of 16th St. and Irving St. NW. The large majority of the building consists…
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In this update, an SOS organizer reflects on the success of a multilateral approach that combines organizing around basic needs with a targeted pressure campaign that threatens the landlord’s reputation. Identifying details in this piece have been changed due to ongoing negotiations. We started working with the tenants at Maple Grove in early April after…
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In this post, an SOS organizer reflects on the challenges of starting a new organizing drive under pandemic conditions. Identifying details have been changed. This set of buildings is one of our new, post-pandemic organizing projects. The property is located in the predominantly working class immigrant neighborhood of Brightwood, one of the major “frontiers” of…
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One of our most far-reaching campaigns, 3435 Holmead Pl. has been covered extensively by citywide media. Local politicians have appeared at rallies, and some residents have been on rent strike for months. In this interview, Stomp Out Slumlords organizer Mariel Mendez reflects on the challenges, losses, and opportunities of organizing at Holmead since the pandemic. Stomp…
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We are in a moment of severe crisis for working-class people around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting people of color and “essential workers” who aren’t able to work from home. Others have lost jobs and income, leaving them unable to pay rent and purchase basic necessities as unemployment systems struggle with unprecedented…
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