Washington tenants call out the landlord lobby
Tenants from across the state joined together July 18 to call out the unjust practices of Washington state's landlord lobby at their legal forum.
The Rental Housing Association, RHA, has been lobbying against tenant protections and rights relentlessly, even though landlords already have broad powers across the state. So tenants stood up at RHA's forum and demonstrated the power we have -- together -- to push back against landlord lobbyists.
Dozens of advocates and tenants showed up to the protest, including Oscar, a mariachi singer who got us all dancing.
But it was also an event that featured important stories from tenants and supporters across the state who are fighting against obscene rent hikes and laws that oppress tenants.
According to police on the scene, RHA called the police preemptively, asking them to attend the event, since they knew we would attend the forum in protest. We laughed that off, since, of course, we're there to share our story and demonstrate our political power. Maybe that's scary to landlords.
Regardless, Washington CAN was so proud to stand with tenants and advocates fighting for the same basic goals: tenant rights and protections. Hearing our stories and seeing each others' smiling faces filled us with pride. Together, we can win.
