Aspen Towers Tenant Union Speak Out Against Mass Renoviction

The Aspen Towers ACORN Tenant Union recently organized a massive Tenant Speakout in response to the threat of a mass renoviction affecting over 100 units at Aspen Towers; 2935 Richmond Rd.

Over 50 ACORN members living in Aspen Towers and from across the city protested outside their building to demand the immediate stop to the mass renovictions and for the city to adopt a renoviction bylaw similar to Hamilton’s. The speakout featured heartfelt speeches from ACORN members including Nelda Giroux, Tamirat Gameda, Ricky Albano, Paul Burns, Grace Almoite, Analyn Quinto, and Karen Ashton, who spoke on behalf of her father Dave Warehan. Additionally, the tenants received unwavering support from their MPP, Chandra Pasma, who stands firmly behind their fight against the mass renoviction.

ACORN members united in solidarity, chanting and making noise to draw the attention of passersby on Richmond Rd, receiving tons of supportive honks. We were joined by media coverage from CTV News, Le Droit, and CFRA, amplifying the Aspen Towers ACORN Tenant Union’s defiance against renovictions in their building and across the city. ACORN members spoke to the media and made it clear that they aren’t leaving, even saying they would die before moving out! The tenant union stood strong and tall and chanted “No Fear, No Doubt, We Won’t Move Out” to make it known they weren’t backing down at any time!

Members decided to confront their superintendent who has been harassing and pressuring tenants to sign their rights away and leave their units immediately with a bribe of $5000. The superintendent, John, refused to speak with any of the tenants and answer any of their questions. SHAME! John kept running away from the tenants and tenants didn’t let up because they deserve an answer as to why he was intimidating and bribing tenants to move out. The superintendent’s buddy who was with him the whole time ended up threatening members and eventually assaulted an ACORN member with a walker! She was standing in the elevator door and he tore her walker out of the elevator and shoved her multiple times – landlords will stop at nothing. Watch the video below to see what the Aspen Towers ACORN Tenant Union is up against. But this didn’t shake the tenants, they continued on and ended the rally with a strong interview with CTV making sure that every ounce of their appalling behaviour is exposed.

HUGE shout out to the fearless leadership of ACORN members Tamirat Gameda and Ricky Albano for leading this protest. Keep an eye out for the Aspen Towers ACORN Tenant Union, this is only the beginning of this fight.