Speakers were given two minutes each with a countdown clock on display.
Among the speakers was Assemblyman Lester Chang who tried without success to bring together both sides.
"We need landlords, we need tenants, because tenants support the landlord. Landlords also invest in building their houses. Now it's not in reality you can't have raises and also at the same time, there's costs involved too. Just two days ago the water commission board has increased by 6% for water," Chang said.
Tenants want to hold the mayor's campaign promise for a rent freeze.