Sisters Uncut activists climb onto Town Hall balcony to set off flares

Sunday’s protest by Sisters Uncut. Photograph: Sisters Uncut

Activists wearing hoods partially covering their faces scaled the walls of Hackney Town Hall and set off smoke flares to try and put pressure on newly-elected Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville to honour promises they claim he has made.

The protesters from direct action group Sisters Uncut used ladders to climb up to the balcony of the council building and also unfurled a giant banner before playing music and having a picnic on the steps of the council building.

Services for survivors of domestic violence in Hackney are inadequate and refuges have been cut, says the group, which seized a vacant council flat in Marian Court, Homerton, earlier this year to highlight the issue of empty homes.

Sisters Uncut stated Mayor Glanville has now vowed to use council-run accommodation instead of private hostels and private bed and breakfasts to house women who are homeless because of fleeing violent partners.

Marching on the Town Hall. Photograph: Sisters Uncut

They said he has also agreed to consider using women-only hostels for survivors, increase specialist domestic violence training for staff in council-run hostels and fill all empty council homes in Hackney within a year.

Sharon Baker, from Sisters Uncut, said Mayor Glanville – who has previously insisted the council takes its duty to victims of domestic violence “extremely seriously” – should now adopt a “radical” stance and refuse to implement the Housing and Planning Act, which the group believes will worsen the housing crisis.

The all-female anti-austerity group became famous for storming the Suffragette film premiere and dyeing the Trafalgar Square fountains blood red.

It protests at government policies that it says impact most severely on vulnerable people.

Mayor Glanville, who triumphed overwhelmingly in the election last week, was previously the Labour council’s housing chief.

A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “We’re extremely disappointed that despite meetings and positive dialogue with Sisters Uncut, unnecessary protests have caused thousands of pounds of damage to the Town Hall, diverting resources and money away from vital frontline services.

“As we’ve repeatedly made clear, we’ve increased spending on domestic violence services, have housed hundreds of families in empty homes and fund one of the highest number of refuge spaces of any council in London.”