

Dig: Abolish Rent w/ Leonardo Vilchis and Tracy Rosenthal
5 snips Jan 28, 2025
Leonardo Vilchis, a seasoned tenant organizer, and Tracy Rosenthal, an advocate engaged in a rent strike, co-author 'Abolish Rent.' They discuss the roots of America's housing crisis and the necessity for strengthened tenant unions. The conversation highlights community resilience in Los Angeles, linking tenant struggles with broader social dynamics. They emphasize grassroots organizing and solidarity for housing rights while urging action against displacement. Their insights reveal how collective efforts can reshape housing policies and empower marginalized communities.
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Origins of LA Tenants Union
- In 1996, the federal government destroyed public housing, displacing 1200 families in Los Angeles.
- This sparked the beginning of Union de Vecinos, which grew into the citywide LA Tenants Union and the national Autonomous Tenants Union Network.
Crisis and Opportunity
- The housing crisis affects a wider range of people, including those previously unaffected.
- Real estate developers' reactions to price gouging during crises reveal their opportunistic nature.
Resurgence of Tenant Organizing
- The current housing crisis, combined with pandemic-era policies, has fueled a resurgence in tenant organizing.
- People are realizing that inaction carries significant risks, leading them to take ownership of their situation.