Nearly a hundred people from several tenants rights’ groups gathered across from Boston City Hall to raise awareness about the lack of affordable housing in Boston and declare a “renters’ state of emergency” yesterday.

Organizer Darnell Johnson, of Right to the City, said he was joining organizations in 46 cities across the country to urge officials to implement protections for low-income renters.

“Boston residents want to remain here and we think affordable housing is needed especially for people with the lowest of low incomes,” Johnson said. “Part of what we’re going to be doing today is highlighting the need for community control of land and housing planning and development. Neighborhoods are being split up and the BRA’s planning process is not a true community process. We’re hoping that by increasing visibility, we will grow the movement and the message. Policies like just cause eviction

Protest Organizer Darnell Johnson.

need to be implemented.”

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has said publicly that he supports the concept of Just Cause Eviction, which would require landlords to give cause for evicting tenants.

On the other side of the street – and the other side of the debate – stood four counter-protestors, including Ralph “Skip” Schloming, executive director of the Small Property Owners Association, holding signs opposing just cause eviction.