The stage that will host the New Year’s concert in Cosenza has become, in the last few hours, the symbol of the fight for the right to live. A group of homeless families, members of the «Prendocasa» collective, occupied the structure which was being set up to turn the spotlight on a now chronic housing emergency. The action ended in the early afternoon with the descent of the demonstrators, after having obtained the convening of a technical table in the Prefecture.
The protest and the banner: “Housing is a right”
An unequivocal banner appeared on the structure intended for the New Year’s Eve show: “Home is a right”. A striking but not hostile protest towards the artist protagonist of the event, Brunori Sas. Ferdinando Gentile, activist of “Prendocasa”, in fact specified: «Our action is not directed against Brunori, who has always supported us. We are here because we need answers for families experiencing the drama of the housing emergency.” The singer-songwriter from Cosenza responded with a gesture of concrete solidarity, announcing the decision to donate the entire fee for the evening to charity.
The reasons for the mobilization: blocked funds and stopped rankings
At the center of the protest are years of institutional “passing the buck”. According to what was reported by the protesters: “Home rent” contributions: Hundreds of eligible families would not receive regional funds from 2023. Social housing: There is a complaint of a total paralysis of the rankings which prevents the assignment of available houses. Absence of planning: Activists are calling for an extraordinary plan for the right to live that goes beyond the logic of advertisements and clientele.
The confrontation with the Mayor and the resolution of the situation
A delegation met the Mayor of Cosenza. The confrontation produced an initial political result. In fact, the convening of a discussion table in the Prefecture for next January 15th was obtained. Not only the Municipality and the Prefecture are invited to participate in the meeting, but also the Calabria Region, considered the key interlocutor for the allocation of economic resources.
Result achieved: the protesters leave the stage
Considering the opening of the institutional table as a first “short-term result achieved”, the families decided to get off the stage, freeing the structure to allow preparations for the New Year’s concert to proceed smoothly. However, tension remains high in view of the mid-January meeting, the date by which the movement expects concrete commitments and no longer simple promises.