A large iPhone advert that blocked natural light for poverty-hit families living in a London apartment block has been taken down after campaigners called for its removal.
A report by The Independent revealed that residents were unable to see daylight out of their windows for three years after the advertising hoarding was put up.
They had described feeling “isolated” and “blocked out from everything” by the advertisement, which was put up without their consent.
Alex Armitage, a Green Party parliamentary candidate who campaigned against the advert, said the landlord sent a crane to remove the hoarding on Saturday night.
“After weeks of campaigning by the Green Party, the London Renters Union, Open Dalston and others, we’ve managed to pressurise the landlords into removing the hoarding,” Mr Armitage said.
“This victory came about not only because of the diligence of Hackney Green Party activists who spoke compassionately to the people living in this building but because of our willingness to work across party lines with the local Labour councillor, as well as fantastic community organisations, such as the London Renters’ Union.”
BlowUp Media, the company that owns the advertising space, declined to comment when asked about the removal.
Sevineh Nazif, who was placed in one of the flats by Hackney Council after reporting as homeless, told The Independent that she felt “abandoned” over the issue.
“When the windows are closed I can’t breathe, I feel claustrophobic. We can never get light in here. We never see the sun, it feels like we’re blocked out from everything,” she said.
Ms Nazif and another resident, Ahmed Mehjoob, added that they were both warned by the landlord against creating a hole in the advert to allow natural light into their rooms.
Hackney Green Party described the removal of the hoarding as a “great victory” for residents.
“It’s shocking that Hackney Council ever allowed this to happen,” they said.
Hackney Council did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
