If there is a motive, a spirit, that unites all organisers in the world it is possibly, in the words of Saul Alinsky, the longing to create - to create something out of nothing. This is what drives us to change the world, to imagine a better and greater society and to build that society. Deep down, this is what all good organisers do when they put their visions into practice. Our friends at FIREFUND represent the most noble living embodiment of this spirit and they have created something beautiful.

To recognise that humans in different countries and in different continents are connected by bonds of solidarity that are greater than our differences is a profound insight into human nature. To act, and to create the means to facilitate that solidarity is greater still. FIREFUND, its creators and its supporters have demonstrated both these qualities in practice.

This present campaign has done something unique. With few exceptions, out of the many who have professed support for our grassroots action - which aims at securing decent affordable homes for everyone - it is only the backers of this FIREFUND campaign who have taken direct action based on these principles to pledge funds towards our cause. Since actions speak louder than words, we can only struggle to express our gratitude for this support.

We make our own history, it has been said, but we do not make it under conditions entirely of our own choosing. In this instance we have reluctantly conceded that conditions have not allowed us to reach the target we established for this campaign and as a result we will place it on hold until further notice.

The campaign is cancelled

We decided to cancel our crowdfunding campaign and we want to give out this statement as an explanation for the supporters who have either pledged direct support or indirectly by sharing our communication.

Even though it is far from the goal of € 6000 with 14 days left, we are proud to have gathered as much as € 650 as pledged donations. The money will not be transferred since we did not reach the target goal within 30 days, but it is still a clear expression of solidarity.

The reason we decided to cancel the campaign, is that we did not have the organisational ressources we thought we had, to run the campaign. Campaigning online is not easier in any way than on the streets - it takes a lot of hard and dedicated work.

We are not able to do this now - but it does not remove our need for funding and the urgency of international solidarity with our growing movement.

We hope to re-launch the campaign, when we have the ressources to do it - but until then, we appreciate and honor the support too much, to continue a campaign without any activists behind the wheel.

The struggle is not over - and the rent strike is just getting started.

We only hope, that the solidarity shown towards our cause in this campaign will remain and grow - because we truly appreciate and need it.



Solidarity forever!

// UCL, Cut The Rent