Demonstration in Winterthur: Several hundred people protested against the housing shortage

The housing shortage in Winterthur is undisputed. This is not only shown by the upcoming vote on the Popular initiative “Housing for all” including two counter-proposals. Loudly determined, but peaceful and with lots of music, many people voted with their feet at the housing demonstration in the city center on Saturday afternoon, which had the motto “No profit on our rent”.

Around 300 to 400 people followed the call from the Winterthur squatter scene for an unauthorized “housing demonstration”. Young and old people take part in the protest march, which starts shortly after 2 p.m. from the city park in the direction of Graben and leads via Stadthausstrasse, Graben, Obertor, Neustadtgasse, Holderplatz, Technikumstrasse to Bahnhofplatz.

“Let’s take the high road”

At the beginning of the demo there is the speaker’s request: “Let’s take the street.” Then they chant again and again: “Oisi Street, oisi Quarter, away with the yuppies, away with the grease!” A slogan as we know it from the revolutionary construction on May 1st.

The Winterthur city police are on site with a large contingent, but are refraining from breaking up the demonstration “within the framework of proportionality,” as media director Michael Wirz explained after the demonstration.

One of the participants is a 21-year-old student who still lives at home. Why is she running? “Rents are rising more and more, but wages are not.” Many people could no longer afford a simple two-and-a-half-room apartment. “That’s why I’m here today.”

Spectators film the protest march

On the side of the road, many people pull out their cell phones and film or photograph the demonstrating crowd. A young woman also watches the events from the sidewalk with her colleague. “The demonstration is cool and necessary,” says the 28-year-old, who lives in the old town. Your apartment is still affordable. However, a further increase in rent would be difficult for her, she says.

“We’re staying in,” says the loudspeaker. “We can’t afford luxury apartments anyway.” A saleswoman who follows the protest agrees to the song. “If I had to move out of my apartment, as a single person I would have a problem finding an affordable apartment.”

“Because affordable housing is important”

A 57-year-old teacher from Winterthur is also running. “I’ve been taking part in such demonstrations in Winterthur since the 1980s,” she says when asked about her motivation. There is a danger that land in Switzerland will become more and more expensive and that soon only the rich will be able to live in the city. But she believes that a mixed population structure is the prerequisite for peaceful coexistence in Switzerland.

Last year there were only 86 free apartments in Winterthur, a speaker shouts into the microphone. The rally has now arrived in Neustadtgasse and is stopping behind the “Gisi”, the oldest occupied house in the city. Things get down to business with firecrackers. The speaker rails against pension funds, insurance companies and the Stefanini Foundation, all of which are only interested in making a profit.

“We can’t complain”

A shopkeeper thinks this is good. She waves to those marching past. However, her neighbor, who is currently wiping away the leaves in front of her small shop, sees it differently. “We are also in a Stefanini house here and can’t complain.” Repairs are always carried out quickly and cost-effectively. “This means the rent remains affordable for us small shops.”

A little later, at Bahnhofplatz, an older man from Winterthur shakes his head. He doesn’t agree with the demo. “I’m a landlord myself and have barely increased the rent, at most when it’s renovated, and then only moderately.”

“Deliberately did not obtain permission”

One of the organizers told Radio Stadtfilter before the demo that they deliberately did not seek permission from the city because it is an important actor in gentrification that would drive people with low incomes out of the city.

At the end of the demonstration, which broke up in Steinberggasse around 4 p.m., numerous participants were checked and reported, according to the city police. In addition, several expulsions were issued. There was no damage to property.

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