Selling the Lower East Side

 

Resident Resistance to Tenement Conditions

Throughout the period of European immigrations, Lower East Side residents continuously mobilized and resisted the dismal tenement conditions and threats of further exploitation. Residents demanded cheaper and safer housing and took actions  (rent strikes and demonstrations) to voice their concerns. Rent strikes occurred in 1904 and 1908. Striking tenants mounted red flags (actually dyed petticoats) from fire escapes and rooftops and hung landlords in effigy.

Links (click to follow)

Tenant.net - The online resource for residential tenants.

Here is a pictorial history of the tenant movement.

Here is some history of the politics of the time in NYC.

 

 

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The book upon which this web site is based,

Selling the Lower East Side,

is available directly through University of Minnesota Press
or order through Amazon.com

Site design © 2000: Kurt Reymers and Dan Webb.
(University at Buffalo, Department of Sociology)