Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Solidarity with homeless people is increasing. It must not melt away when the sun returns.
On 3 March, a protest organised by the grassroots group Streets Kitchen marched across London in solidarity with homeless people. The group chanted “no more deaths on our streets” in reaction to multiple cases of rough sleepers dying in 2018.
The march
It started with a blockade outside Downing Street:
"Why don't you go home!" – is probably not the smartest question for an angry motorist to ask a group of homeless campaigners. Whitehall 3/3/18 #NoMoreDeathsOnOurStreets @streetskitchen pic.twitter.com/nH98Qh9ynw
— Ron F. (@TheWeeklyBull) March 4, 2018
Protesters chanted, “who’s streets? our streets!” while marching through Covent Garden to Oxford Street:
Read on...
Now holding the line at Oxford Street #NoMoreDeathsOnOurStreets @streetskitchen pic.twitter.com/Ekf1DmKTRO
— Steve Topple (@MrTopple) March 3, 2018
The protest ended at a building near Great Portland Street that Streets Kitchen has occupied and set up as a homeless shelter.
Streets Kitchen told The Canary:
We are gathering in solidarity with our homeless friends today because people are dying on the streets and those with power are still failing to respond adequately to the situation. Our recent involvement in setting up a night shelter with activist squatters shows just how quick and simple it is to give those in need what they need. Last night we saw 30 people fed and roofed. We don’t need money, we need buildings.
The march and occupation made it onto Channel 4 News:
Keep Bristol Warm.
The bitterly cold weather has shown the perils of homelessness and has sparked the public into action across Britain.
In Bristol, people tied warm clothes to lampposts with notes stating “I am not lost”:
It’s already 0 degrees in Bristol tonight but along Hotwell Road I spotted these scarves to #keepbristolwarm / #kbw – I absolutely love this city pic.twitter.com/2z15WvmKYW
— Liam Bettinson (@liambettinson_) February 26, 2018
Was rushing through Bristol to get home and out of the cold when I saw the street in front of me was filled with hats, gloves and scarves for those who don’t have a home to rush to. Each with a label: “I am not lost. If you need me take me.” Overwhelmed. #kbw #keepbristolwarm pic.twitter.com/RbgItMHBKp
— Sophie Smith-Holland (@SSmithHolland) February 25, 2018
Mosques as emergency shelters
Across Britain, Mosques have opened their doors to rough sleepers:
Thank you to this Mosque for opening its doors to the homeless during this cold snap. The true spirit of religious worship. https://t.co/jwfJXKcvRN
— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) March 2, 2018
The Al-Manaar Mosque in West London called on taxi drivers to pick up rough sleepers and transport them to a warm bed:
This is one of our local mosques Al Manar, preparing for the homeless in the freezing temperatures. Muslim taxi drivers where urged to bring homeless to mosque if they saw any. #muslamics pic.twitter.com/zRFtl8v2qr
— Ali dawah (@AliDawow) March 2, 2018
Don’t let it thaw out
These acts of solidarity and kindness are just a snapshot of what has been happening across the UK during the freezing conditions in 2018.
However, homelessness is not just a cold weather issue. No one should have to sleep on the streets at any time. Britain is the fifth largest economy in the world. And it is estimated that over 200,000 homes lie empty in England alone. Under Conservative rule, rough sleeping has increased 169% since 2010. Meanwhile, the fact that the Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Reduction Taskforce has reportedly not even met since its creation in 2017 makes a mockery of the government’s plan to eradicate rough sleeping by 2027.
It is estimated that only 2% of people without a permanent home are registered to vote. This means that come election time political parties often forget about homeless people. It is therefore up to everyone to make sure the voices of the homeless are heard. Don’t let the solidarity thaw out when the sun returns.
Get involved!
– Streets Kitchen need your donations. If you have camp beds, sleeping bags, heaters, duvets or anything else which you think will help, take them down to the occupation in Great Portland Street.
– Support Single Homeless Project.
Featured image author’s own.
We need your help to keep speaking the truth
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.
Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.
We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.
In return, you get:
* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop
Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.
With your help we can continue:
* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do
We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?
Support us 
