"Cancel Rent": faced with the Covid-19 crisis, Americans start the rent strike

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In the United States, hit by the economic crisis and unemployment, millions of people are unable to pay their rent. Many associations are now requesting their suspension. Across the country, tenants have just started a strike by paying no more since May 1.

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With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki

In certain districts of New York, the movement is displayed in large on the buildings. Flags and signs display the inscription: "Cancel Rent". This call was picked up en masse on social networks.

Cea Weaver is part of an association for the rights of tenants. For her, the situation is more than urgent. "  People just don't have enough money to pay their rent ," she says. They lost their jobs. And the government is doing nothing to resolve the situation  . ”

Large-scale eviction in the long term

Faced with pressure, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a moratorium to stop the evictions until at least June. An insufficient measure for many. Since May 1, hundreds of tenants simply refuse to pay. "  The problem is that even if no one can be evicted today, the rent is not suspended ," says Cea Weaver. And when the courts are opened again, which will happen sooner or later, people will be expelled on a large scale  . ”

For the moment, the authorities are not planning to suspend rents. Especially since, for their part, the owners say they fear the consequences of such a measure on them and their mortgages. The “Cancel Rent” movement is gaining momentum everywhere in the United States. The country is the most affected in the world by the epidemic and is experiencing one of the biggest economic crises in its history with 30 million more unemployed in six weeks.

► Read also: The United States, the country most affected by the coronavirus pandemic

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• United States
• Coronavirus
• Social issues

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