Don’t Ask Russell Brand How Much Rent He Pays During A Housing Protest
The rent is too damn high almost everywhere and at the New Era housing estate in east London, the rent is going to be so damn high that people will have to pack up and move elsewhere.
Former actor turned government troller Russell Brand is fighting against the owner of a housing estate in east London, because they’re more than tripling the price of rent. The Daily Mail says that east London has become more and more fancier and trendier, so a company called Westbrook, who owns the New Era housing estate, is planning to up the price of rent from $1,016 per month to $3,100 per month, which is the going rate for that neighborhood. Tenants were initially told that rent wouldn’t go up until 2016, but of course, Westbrook lied. Nearly 90 households will be forced to move or they’ll be forced to sell their ass, kidneys and children to pay the new rent. Russell Brand has become the face of the fight.
Yesterday, Russell Brand and the tenants busted out a demonstration in front of 10 Downing Street, the lair of Prime Minister David Cameron. Russell delivered a petition signed by 294,000 people. Russell Brand and the tenants want the government to step in and stop the raise-the-rent foolery. They want Westbrook to sell New Era to a social landlord, so everyone can stay. That leads me to this video of Russell Brand and Channel 4 News reporter Paraic O’Brien getting into it on camera. Paraic thinks it’s a little funny that Russell Brand is fighting against high rent. Paraic asked Russell if he’s part of the problem since he lives in a fancy, high-priced loft not far away from New Era. Paraic asked Russell how much he pays in rent. At first, Russell dodged that question the same way coochies should dodge his crotch if they don’t want to get a visit from the cast of Attack of the Crab Monsters. Paraic asked again and Russell brought the finger pointing rage before one of the protesters jumped in to defend him.
Russell said that he’s not part of the problem, he’s part of the solution and it doesn’t matter how much rent he pays. (FYI: The Daily Mail says he pays around $7,800 a month for his loft in Hoxton.) It ended with Russell waving a finger at Paraic while saying, “You’re a snide.” I love it when two growns get bitchy over rent:
Russell later explained the awkward interview on YouTube. He admitted to overreacting, but said that he’s emotional about the whole situation, because he cares about the New Era housing estate.
On one hand, I understand why Paraic asked that question. On the other hand, just because Russell has money falling out of his b-hole doesn’t mean that he can’t fight for the regulars. That reporter might not have even been there if Russell wasn’t there. Every time a landlord raised my rent too high, I wish Russell Brand would’ve popped up in front of them, waved a finger and said, “You snide you.”
On another note, I wonder how in the hell you pronounce the name Paraic? “It’s pronounced ‘SNIIIIIIIIIIIIDE’” – Russell Brand
Pics: Wenn.com