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Cereal Killer Cafe protester insists 'gentrification affects middle-class people too' Cereal Killer Cafe protester insists 'gentrification affects middle-class people too'
(2 days later)
A Cereal Killer Cafe protester has said issues of gentrification and social cleansing affect both working-class and middle-class people. A Cereal Killer Cafe protester has said issues of gentrification and social cleansing affect both working-class and middle-class people. 
The cafe in Shoreditch, east London, was targeted by activists demonstrating against poorer people being priced out of the area. The cafe in Shoreditch, east London, was targeted by activists demonstrating against poorer people being priced out of the area. 
Dr Lisa Mckenzie, a research fellow at London School of Economics, who attended the protest on Saturday with the Class War party, told The Independent there were a range of activists present including working-class people, middle-class people, homeless people and students.Dr Lisa Mckenzie, a research fellow at London School of Economics, who attended the protest on Saturday with the Class War party, told The Independent there were a range of activists present including working-class people, middle-class people, homeless people and students.
She said many of the people at the protest were “directly affected by gentrification and social cleansing”, and added that some were inadvertently impacted too.She said many of the people at the protest were “directly affected by gentrification and social cleansing”, and added that some were inadvertently impacted too.
Although the issues mainly affected working-class people, it did not mean they were “not affecting middle-class people as well," said the 47-year-old.Although the issues mainly affected working-class people, it did not mean they were “not affecting middle-class people as well," said the 47-year-old.
Dr Mckenzie, the daughter of a Nottingham striking miner and a factory worker, said she took part in many protests.Dr Mckenzie, the daughter of a Nottingham striking miner and a factory worker, said she took part in many protests.
“Because I’m a working-class academic, it means I have a connection to inequality which is personal, but also I have a wider understanding of how structures of inequality work," she said.“Because I’m a working-class academic, it means I have a connection to inequality which is personal, but also I have a wider understanding of how structures of inequality work," she said.
She said rent caps were “desperately” needed in London in order for the capital to “save itself” and stop people being forced out of the city.She said rent caps were “desperately” needed in London in order for the capital to “save itself” and stop people being forced out of the city.
“This sort of sweeping carelessness of one income group removing another income group is happening all over the world,” added Dr Mckenzie.“This sort of sweeping carelessness of one income group removing another income group is happening all over the world,” added Dr Mckenzie.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Class War said the protest was “successful in its aim in raising the issues relating to social cleansing, social apartheid and class inequality in East London, London and the wider UK”. In a statement posted on Facebook, Class War said the protest was “successful in its aim in raising the issues relating to social cleansing, social apartheid and class inequality in East London, London and the wider UK”. 
A bowl of cereal and milk at the café costs £3.20. It was opened last year by brothers Alan and Gary Keery. A bowl of cereal and milk at the café costs £3.20. It was opened last year by brothers Alan and Gary Keery. 
Alan Keery had to barricade himself and his customers inside during the protests.Alan Keery had to barricade himself and his customers inside during the protests.
He told Sky News: “It was just crazy. Two hundred people turned up with torches, throwing paint and stuff at the window.”He told Sky News: “It was just crazy. Two hundred people turned up with torches, throwing paint and stuff at the window.”
He added: “There were kids in there at the time and everyone was pretty terrified.”He added: “There were kids in there at the time and everyone was pretty terrified.”
Small businesses like @CerealKillerUK are lifeblood of London’s thriving economy - any violent protest is unacceptable
Mayor of London Boris Johnson condemned the protest in a Tweet.Mayor of London Boris Johnson condemned the protest in a Tweet.