@ShabanaKausar3
You are trying to evict two queer people, one of whom is a wheelchair user, from a St Pauls property in the middle of a global pandemic. You delayed repairs to damp for so long that mushrooms grew out of the sopping wet carpet, damaging your tenants’ health.
Now 50 members and neighbours standing ready to resist an eviction on Robertson Road.
Our member and her children have had bailiffs kick a hole in their door -now they want to kick them out of their home two weeks before Xmas.
Not on our watch! NO TO EVICTION, NO TO HOMELESSNESS.
@ShabanaKausar3
Please reply to
@ACORN_Bristol
to discuss the retraction of the eviction notice, and compensation for the time this property was uninhabitable and for the considerable impact of your actions on the mental and physical health of your tenants.
What a ball ache!
Our member Michelle, who lives with her son in a council property, is facing a carrier bags’ worth of polystyrene balls coming into her house and garden every day.
1/4
WHITEWASH! 🚨
STITCHUP! 🚨
This afternoon we stormed the Living Rent Commission meeting! The Commission is a group of organisations set up to tackle the renting crisis. It has been stitched up by
@MarvinJRees
, who banned ACORN but decided to invite plenty of landlords.
BREAKING - Bristol Central Labour Candidate
@ThangamDebb
has refused to attend the ACORN community hustings!
A representative said 'Thangam is focusing on speaking with local people directly'. That's exactly what a hustings is. 1/3
HUGE WIN!
Today we can announce our Bristol Towers United: Fire Safety Now! campaign has won all three of its demands:
🧯 Sprinklers in all of Bristol's tower blocks
🧯 Public fire risk assessments for every block in Bristol
🧯24/7 fire wardens until blocks are made safe
✊ Eviction Resistance!
Tonight ACORN Bristol members successfully resisted an illegal eviction attempt by a landlord in Hanham.
Stuart’s landlord showed up at his home this evening and attempted to illegally evict him from the property.
A womb with a view?!
A young lodging couple got in touch with us - their landlord tried to charge them an extra person's rent... for their UNBORN CHILD! When they refused, the landlord changed the locks. Christmas spirit is sadly in short supply for our city's landlords.
👇
🧵1/16
We can confirm Bristol City Council has said it will spend £22.3m on fire safety in its tower blocks. This is very welcome!
Make no mistake, this commitment is a direct result of ACORN and residents getting organised and refusing to take no for an answer.
Here's how:
"ACORN has the right to be at the table - they're the reason me and my family have a roof over our heads." 💪
ACORN member Ruth speaking to BBC Points West this evening about the stitched-up Living Rent Commission.
Community comes through again!
After the first attempt to evict our member George from his home in Easton was seen off by our huge community resistance, the bailiffs haven't even bothered to show up for their second attempt today!
BREAKING: ACORN comms officer assaulted by Marvin's goons.
Barton House residents invited their representative down to negotiate with the Mayor and put forward our demands. Marvin refused to answer questions and security was summoned.
Wesley was punched, elbowed,...
Michelle is a domestic violence support worker during the day and has been forced to spend her free time fighting for herself. But now she's teamed up with fellow ACORN members and planned a campaign to get this ridiculous mess sorted.
@BristolCouncil
get your act together!
4/4
We fought and won!
Yesterday 20 ACORN members stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our member Adam, facing eviction by bailiffs.
Sanctuary Housing, a housing association with over 250,000 properties, called the bailiffs on our disabled member in supported housing, for rent arrears.
🚩Yesterday, at Bristol's council budget meeting, the Green party’s budget amendment for reopening public toilets passed. They proposed £200k of funding for toilets paid for by reducing the Mayor’s office budget and comms/PR budget. The amendment passed 38 to 19.
Eviction resisted☑️
Coverage of yesterday's incredible mobilisation of ACORN members and neighbours to prevent bailiffs from turfing out a mother and her kids in Easton.
We reckon over 70 people showed up in the end- no wonder the bailiffs thought again!
Hello
@ThangamDebb
you did not come to our hustings so we couldn't ask you:
Do you still support rent controls like you used to?
Retweet if you want to know the answer!
Out talking with people in St Andrews about our plan to tackle rogue landlords with
@abenaopp
&
@karinsmyth
& the brill Bristol central Labour team.
We'll immediatley ban no-fault evictions, bring an end to rental bidding wars & extend protections against damp, mould and cold.
"When I say union, you say power!"
Union power at the cost of living demo. We might not be the biggest box but we're the loudest.
#EnoughIsEnough
#DemandBetter
Sam and Jams couldn't pay rent because of the pandemic, then were moved into a cockroach infested home.
Look at
@allagentsuk
and
@MTM_Awards
dishing out the prizes for
@Adil_LetsRent
.
Well they don't have to live in the houses he rents out!
Cancel Sam & Jams rent debt now!
🎺 WIN!!!
After many months of putting pressure on and taking action against the council, ACORN members in Corbett House have finally had confirmation that every bathroom in the block will be replaced! This is what can be won with a bit of perseverance and collective action 💪
🎉🔥 WE DID IT! 🔥🎉
ACORN Bristol has 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ members 😁
Can you believe it? In 6 years we’ve gone from a few Bristolians with an idea, to a thousand-member strong union of lower and middle-income people fighting for a better life for ourselves and each other. And winning!
Thankyou to all who have RT'd in support. Please remember to keep comments civil - we win for our members with strength in numbers, not abuse.
And if you're not yet a member, join at and make us stronger.
On Tuesday at City Hall we'll be forming the 'world's longest toilet queue' as part of our action to
#UnlockOurToilets
For too long Bristol has suffered, unable to find a toilet when we need one. Let's win back toilets for the people of Bristol!
A win for Barton House evacuees at Holiday Inn!
Holiday Inn have met demands made by ACORN members:
1. The replacement of a dirty, bed bug infested mattress our member was forced to sleep on with her kids
2. A more diverse and healthy menu of food provided for residents
Bailiffs beaten again!!
A mum and ACORN Member fleeing domestic violence with her 4 kids was facing bailiff eviction today
Our members blocked the bailiffs, they came and went. If they come back, we'll be there! ✊
Full back story about this family:
Today we marched from Barton House to City Hall.
We invited Marvin Rees and Kye Dudd to meet us there but again, they didn't show.
We'll stand together, we'll keep coming, and we'll get justice ✊
Marvin Rees - Shame on You!
Justice for Barton House!
Today we showed up as a community union to stop ACORN member Ben being evicted by bailiffs!
From Knowle West to Hillfields, ages 0 to 63, members stood shoulder to shoulder to stop Ben being made homeless.
#evictionresistance
#memberdefence
#acornbristol
🚩 Victory!
ACORN member Ruth was due to be evicted today, but the bailiffs took one look at us and ran away. Dozens of us turned up with less than a day’s notice.
1/5
📣 A win for our member Thai! 📣
When Thai got hit with an unaffordable 66.6% rent increase, we decided to pay them a visit. About 25 ACORN Bristol members marched on the offices of Just Lets, demanding negotiation on a fairer rent increase for Thai. ✊
We’re outside NatWest in Broadmead, kicking of a national day of action demanding the bank scrap their discriminatory ‘no housing benefit tenants’ policies in their buy-to-let mortgages. Join us and demand NatWest say
#YesDSS
Evacuated residents have reported bed bugs bites so bad that they created huge bruises, chicken pox outbreaks, bones left in children’s food and many children being unable to eat... only yesterday we heard from residents who had contracted food poisoning from the hotel food
BREAKING!
@MarvinJRees
admits BCC knew about structural issues with Barton House on Friday 10th.
Why did you travel to Rwanda the next day leaving cabinet lead for housing in charge, who had only been in post for 16 days?
Why did you wait until Tuesday 14th to inform residents?
Our members showing up for striking nurses on the RCN picket in Bath this morning.
Nurses and medical staff deserve our full respect plus decent pay and conditions. At the very least!
Solidarity ✊️
I may not be a health care worker, and it may be -5°c outside, but boy am I glad to have been at
@theRCN
's historic first picket. Nothing but support!
Big up the workers at the RUH & the rest of the country. SOLIDARITY FOREVER!
Despite Michelle's repeated pleas, the council have been dismissive, disrespectful, and have shown a total unwillingness to engage with Michelle to solve this issue. The situation has been unfixed for 10 months, and is having a negative impact on Michelle’s mental health.
3/4
In the BCC meeting today, an ACORN Member and Barton House resident said to
@KyeDudd
:
"the way we have been treated by the council is unacceptable"
Dudd responded: "would you prefer if we left you in there to die?"
A disgrace to your city. We will never forget this
Watch the moment our comms officer, Wesley, gets circled and intimidated.
Barton House resident and ACORN member Nuh steps in to defend him:
"I am here and he is our voice."
"The childrens' voice is him."
"The voice of the kids, and us, is the voice of him."
Bristol! The University of Bristol told freshers to come & live in halls when it was obviously unsafe bc of COVID; withhold rent this quarter until they do better! Join
@RentStrikeBris
This afternoon,
@MarvinJRees
turned up at Holiday Inn and ACORN block Rep Fadumo's daughter confronted him to read out a letter of demands from the residents...
Video part 1 of 2
🧵 1/6
"There are older residents who don't come into town in case they get caught short and can't access a toilet. Street sleepers depend on them to maintain dignity and hygeine."
👀
@PrivateEyeNews
calls out
@MarvinJRees
for pocketing budget underspend not funding public loos.
1/3
WIN FOR SELMA!
We can confirm tonight Selma and her son are safely moved into their own flat - the temporary home we've been fighting for!
Thanks to the strength of our union demanding justice, Marvin Rees and Donald Graham had no option but to sort out the mess they made.
Hey
@MarvinJRees
and
@CheneyCraig
, You promised us there would be no bailiffs sent to collect council tax debt or the like. Why are you breaking that promise? You must intervene NOW and call off the bailiffs repeatedly threatening our member Ruth and her children.
After hours of no information, residents of Barton House are angry and in shock at their sudden evacuation and a lack of explanation from
@BristolCouncil
Finally an email is sent to residents stating that a fire could lead to building collapse.
1/2
Look at this vile pamphlet passed on to us by a resident of Easton.
It encourages landlords to spy on prospective tenants' social media, demand video tours of their current home, and suggests good rental references are suspect!
We need rental reform now.
Last week our members linked arms and stopped bailiffs evicting Steeve.
Today we won:
1. A stop to the eviction
2. A repayment plan for arrears
3. A commitment to repairs that have been outstanding for years
4. Hundreds of pounds knocked off court fees.
We just love winning ✊
ACORN member and Barton House member Yasmin explains what went down at City Hall today.
Barton House residents disrespected yet again. We won't stand for it
After refusing to meet us publicly this morning,
@MarvinJRees
turned up unannounced at holiday inn, where some Barton House evacuees are staying.
ACORN members from Barton house confronted him, but he refused to answer questions. Within minutes he was gone.
We need answers
ACORN members are being evacuated from Barton House and the council have given a shocking lack of information.
We're learning from news sources that the evacuation could be permanent and other blocks may be effected.
@MarvinJRees
@BristolCouncil
what are you playing at?
.
@MarvinJRees
, where were you?
@CllrEllieking
, where were you?
We came to meet you today but it seems you're not interested in hearing from your constituents who rely on public toilets for our dignity.
For five years, the Government has promised to end 'no fault' evictions but hasn't delivered. Bankers profit from the housing crisis. We're taking action!
TSB's buy-to-let mortgages limit tenancies to 12 months, forcing yearly moves. We urge TSB to provide renters with security.
1/4
@BristolCouncil
protect our member Selma and her son!
On the night of the fire in Twinnell House in September, our member Selma Musse escaped her flat barefoot with her six-year-old autistic son. Her neighbour Abdul lost his life that night.
The balls come in through an extractor fan. They're toxic and, research suggests, carcinogenic. They're turning up everywhere in the house, in food, and being eaten by her pets. The clogged up extractor fans are now causing damp and mould across the flat. 🤢
2/4
We demand:
1. An independent investigation
2. Local re-housing
3. November rent reimbursed & rent pause
4. Compensation
5. Support for mental health & childcare for all affected residents
We’ll keep shouting till the council does right by Barton House ✊
The crowd arrives at the HQ of energy giant Ovo who's CEO is bathing in banknotes while dishing out advice such as to do star jumps to stay warm if you can't pay your bills this winter. Jog on mate, the people have had enough!
#EnoughIsEnough
We won!!!
Over 1000 members involved over the last few months. The mayor fought us hard at every step, but he finally caved.
There's power in our union ✊
Brilliant work from everyone
@ACORN_Bristol
many thanks to our alies who have rallied with us in protecting this essential benefit to 23,000 households!! Thank you to the 19+
@bristolgreen
councillors who have signed the open letter and those who spoken out against the cut 🙌🏼✊🏼
Win! 🔥🔥
ACORN member Fadumo has seven children and is expecting another this year. In the house where she, her children and her elderly mother live, she was forced to live without hot water or heating for almost a month in the dead of winter. >>
Poster in the Bearpit where the toilet's been thoughtfully decorated with shrubbery, despite being locked for several years.
We shouldn't have to fight for the basics, but we will. Watch out, we have plans in the pipeline!
✍️
🧻✊🧻✊🧻
#UnlockOurToilets
Success! TSB have told us that they're scrapping the clause banning landlords from renting to benefit claimants as a result of ACORN action today. There is power in the Union! Join us!
Today ACORN members & residents of Barton House staying at Holiday Inn challenged the shocking treatment they have faced since being made to live there.
Residents have suffered from bed bug infestations, food poisoning and awful levels of cleanliness. So today, we took action.
💥🎉 VICTORY! 🎉💥
✊ ACORN wins another rent waiver!
👇 This is Billy, an ACORN Bristol member. Billy lost work due to the Covid-19 crisis - he has COPD and was ordered to shield by his doctor. He asked for a rent reduction, but the landlord replied with an eviction notice.
Why isn't ACORN on the commission? First we were told it was because the Mayor personally dislikes us, then we were told Tom Renhard could represent us (nope!), and now
@MarvinJRees
is going for the idea that we can't work in coalition with other orgs. Pathetic.
📝We are launching a Living Rent Commission
🏘️Bringing together the best, partnership focused organisations to explore the issues facing renters in
#Bristol
and make rents affordable and improve standards
🔗More from Councillor Tom Renhard:
✊ Result!
Back in August we had a Twitter storm for two members who faced actual mushrooms growing from the carpet. 🤢 🤬
They were threatened with September eviction, despite one member being disabled, by a landlord describing herself as an ‘intersectional feminist’. 🤷
Dear TSB, you’ve been very sneaky🤫 Your Buy to Let mortgage terms only allow one-year tenancies, turning renters into annual eviction contestants. Now you're hiding and don't want to explain. What's next, vanishing like a magician?
The people of Bristol are struggling to make ends meet after year upon year of rent hikes from greedy landlords. But the Mayor's happy to ask a bunch of landlords what to do about it.
🚩A WIN for ACORN members in St Judes! 🚩
Head of Repairs agreed:
✅To meet with us
✅Repairs of St Judes blocks are now top of the prioritisation list
✅To repair roofing, windows, doors, external wall insulation, external and internal decorations, flooring & remove asbestos
At our monthly meeting last night 40 members had a spicy discussion about what we should campaign on next, then we voted.
Our next campaign will be against unfair 'bidding wars', where home seeking tenants are encouraged to outbid other renters, upping prices. Sadly on the rise.
BREAKING: At the Council building demanding justice for Barton House with families affected. Once again they’re refusing to even meet with us.
@MarvinJRees
shame on you!
1/2
Mayor Marvin Rees thinks our action disrupting the council’s sham rent commission in July was ‘entitled and privileged’. This is the mayor who didn't bother to show up for the Twinnell House accountability meeting held by tower block residents in the wake of a fatal fire.
Some of the inspiring speakers at tonight's
@eiecampaign
Bristol launch. The mood in St George's was determined and defiant. The working class is joining the dots and we're getting ready to build some serious power.
#EnoughIsEnough
That's the ticket!
That's 3 out of 4 WECA candidates who have made a commitment to ACORN towards bus franchising in Bristol. 🔥
Still no pledge from Labour's candidate, or even a meeting!
Come on
@votedannorris
, will you join the others and pledge to Take Back Our Buses?
If I become West of England regional mayor I will begin immediate action to take control of our bus network and give new energy and purpose to shaking up our inadequate public transport system. That's why I'm pleased to support
@ACORN_Bristol
campaign for bus franchising.
ACORN Bristol we’re proud to honour our amazing member Deniece for all her kind and gracious work for the residents of Barton House tonight at our monthly members meeting! £2561.99 delivered to our very own superhuman❤️
We think Deniece
@CafeConscious
deserves some recognition after doing SOOO much for the residents of Barton House!
Check out the fundraiser linked below✌🏽
#GoFundMe
🚩The tenants, united, will never be defeated!
On Friday 12th Nov, we marched on the office of law firm TLT, who is representing HSBC bank in the eviction of
@ACORNLeeds
members Arkadiusz and Alex, to make it clear that those evicting our members can be reached wherever they are!
The only people we can trust to fight for what we need are ourselves. We’ve spent years building an organisation that doesn’t depend on politicians, councils or the government to win. ACORN’s growing and our list of wins is only getting longer. This is your wake up call to join.
"I joined ACORN because I felt like we weren't safe."
Our member Selma is a resident of Twinnell House and a leading voice in our campaign for tower block fire safety: Bristol Towers United: Fire Safety Now!
Thangam Debonnaire was happy to come to our hustings in 2015 when she was first up for election - what's changed we wonder?!
Thangam recommended that we 'contact directly at thangam_debbonaire
@labour
.org.uk' - everyone attending the hustings will have the chance do exactly that
Why is the council shutting us down rather than providing meaningful, material support for the 400 people of Barton House. Instead Marvin sat with a full plate of food watching our ACORN officer being assaulted.
Playing games in TSB bank and getting comfy, just like TSB does with their 12-month tenancy limits. Because who needs long-term security when you can have a yearly eviction adventure?
Cabinet lead for Housing
@KyeDudd
went to Barton House for a staged press interview today.
But the residents started asking him questions, and after they were pushed aside, Dudd literally ran away.
@KyeDudd
why are you running away?
🚩 Member defence victory!
Over £2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ of rent debt waived!🔥
Emma and Elliot were living in a house unfit for human habitation with multiple repair issues including massive holes in their bedroom wall. 🕳