By James Hutchings
SYDNEY -- About 350 people turned out to a street party, held in the plaza near the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday, May 25, to protest against the "yuppification" of Newtown.
The event was organised by the Newtown Political Collective, a local activist group. Four punk bands played, including Purr. There were skate ramps, and the Sydney branch of Food Not Bombs provided free vegan food. Green Books, Basic and the Black Rose Bookshop also supported the event.
Recently, the Newtown area has been the victim of a "yuppie invasion". The area has become fashionable, and local developers and real estate agents are encouraging rich people to move in.
The local council has been an enthusiastic supporter of the change. It has closed down places, like all-ages venues, that attract poorer people.
All this has meant that the cost of living has gone up, particularly rents. Many local people have found it impossible to stay, including some who have lived in the area all their lives. The Newtown community, one of the few real communities in Sydney, looks like it might be destroyed in a few years if nothing is done.
The street party was held "illegally" in public space, to highlight the fact that Newtown belongs to the local people, not the council or the developers. The organisers called on local people to take direct action to defend the community.
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