MIAMI -- The residents of a shanty village, built in Liberty City in protest of the lack of affordable housing in Miami, celebrated the holidays this week as they continue to battle the city.

The Umoja Village Shantytown commemorated the holidays with a Christmas tree and dinner on Dec. 25 and on Tuesday, Dec. 26, with the opening of the seven day Kwanzaa celebration.

The first of seven principes celebrated in Kwanzaa is Umoja: unity, the shantytown's namesake. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, local Kwanzaa expert Altine Baki will lead the opening ceremony at the Umoja Village at 6201 N.W. 17th Ave. on the corner of 62nd St. and N.W. 17th Ave. The public is invited to share in the celebration.

The village was established in October to protest what activists call the "gentrification and the housing crisis in Miami-Dade County."

Supporters of the village are asking residents to sign a support petition at takebacktheland.blogspot.com to oppose a city ordinance that would make the village illegal.

Organizers are also asking that supporters donate water, clothes, canned meats, fresh food, batteries, candles, mattresses and other necessities.