The broad-collective of support for Reclaim Brixton was evident in Windrush Square on Saturday afternoon as thousands of people came out to send a message about the intense pace of gentrification in Brixton.
There may have been many different causes and issues, but the overall theme was one of a community that is being pulled apart by the pace of change and the search for profit.
Local housing campaigners, Brixton traders and even some campaigning politicians were present to help put out this message.
Exactly who this message is being directed at is not so simple.
Lambeth Council? Developers? Network Rail?
Talking with many of the friendly folk out in Windrush Square on Saturday and it soon became clear that the feeling was one of the wider London social cleansing issue being played out right in the centre of Brixton.
Sure, Brixton is symbolic for so many proud reasons. This makes it all the more important for the Council to try and hold it all together. Relying upon the likes of developers and Network Rail to lend a sympathetic hand to keep Brixton inclusive is a waste of energies that could be better used elsewhere.
The afternoon had many different strands and ideas. The Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road traders shut up shop - quite literally - at midday for two hours. A human chain was formed to show the support against the threatened eviction from Network Rail.
A protest march around Brixton Vill-aaage failed to happen. Inside it was incredibly quiet however.
The main action took place in Windrush Square. This was a rather random gathering without the slick, PR fronted protests that are often the norm now. Reclaim Brixton was so much more the better for this. It was a genuinely local, grass roots show of community support.
Performers played in a makeshift marquee. Other artists set up temporary stages elsewhere. The Black Cultural Archives kindly added its support. Speeches were delivered and optimism was found.
The next step will be much harder of course. How do you translate this strong message to help keep Brixton together into some form of tangible action? Lambeth Council might have the answers. We fear that these answers are not the ones that the Reclaim Brixton broad collective of support wants to hear.
But for Saturday afternoon at least, Brixton came together to say finally: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Below is the first set of pictures that our snappers from Brixton Buzz were able to capture. Many, many thanks to the very kind folk who came out to talk to us and explain what they are hoping to achieve. We left Windrush Square with a HUGE smile on our face.
Further photos and analysis will follow over the weekend.
And finally now might be a good time to remind folk of our favourite quote from our very good friend, Cllr Jack Hopkins, the Cabinet Member for Growth:
“Regeneration is often seen through the eyes of cynics who are quick to criticise ‘gentrification’ but ignore the benefits. If ‘gentrification’ means cleaner streets and safer estates then I’m all for it.
There is a deafening silence from those who stand to benefit most; people in need of affordable housing, access to jobs and business opportunities, safer public spaces and more culture and leisure.
My challenge to you is find out what’s going on, make sure your voice is heard or sit back and let it pass you by. It’s your future.”
Over to you, Jacko.
Plus:
Here are some Vines that we uploaded during the afternoon: