Monthly Archives: September 2012

Silence is Golden

 http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-squatter-first-to-be-jailed-8181647.html

The forces of darkness descended on the peaceful, commercial Hackney property this morning in order to carry out their wrong doing. They were met, however, by a rather large crowd who stood their ground and defended their right to shelter. The 20 occupants of Dove Row remain in their home despite the wishes of capitalist property developers. Viva la resistance – homes for all!!

After the resistance there was a march that ended at Hackney Town Hall.

We’ve been keeping track of squat related activity since September 1st when squatting in residential building was made illegal. Here’s a quick round up:

GLASTONBURY
A few days ago we reported that 5 individuals were, to our knowledge, the first to be arrested under the new law. Coincidently, it has also been revealed that proposals to make more emergency accommodation for homeless young people in Somerset have twice been turned down by planners. We understand the Squatters Legal Network are keen to support those arrested. Here’s more information  from the local press in Somerset:

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Squatters-kicked-Street-house-law-changes/story-16839585-detail/story.html

CHICHESTER
Last Saturday, Police visited a squat in Chichester after the owner asked them to get the squatters out. It is reported that the squatters left of their own accord and no arrests were made. Local homeless charity Stonepillow was critical of the new legislation: 

“It is also worth noting that many of the properties occupied as squats are ‘disused, empty buildings’ and some squatters choose this option as opposed to sleeping rough.”

http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/chichester-squatters-evicted-after-new-legislation-comes-into-force-1-4225220

BRIGHTON
The squatters arrested following a police raid on a part residential property were charged with abstracting electricity, obstructing a police officer and the offence of squatting in a residential building. They were bailed unconditionally until they appear in court in October. 

BIRMINGHAM
Housing activists and homeless people have been threatened with court proceedings if they do not vacate the council owned residential building they are occupying. A spokesperson for the group stated that there were genuinely homeless people sheltering in the building who will be forced out onto the streets again. More info here:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/09/499567.html

BRISTOL
One squat, and possibly a second, has been closed down using the new legislation. Another has been served  court papers. One person was arrested and then released without charge. 


http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/09/499620.html





LONDON
We don’t have any more information on the six people arrested in Southwark yet but we’ll update as soon as we do. Other than those arrests, London has been reasonably quiet. We’re getting a lot of reports of landlords/police giving squatters notice to leave rather than them attempting to enter the building and arrest them. Other residential squats which are awaiting eviction/court proceedings don’t seem to have been affected. The metropolitan police seem quite reluctant to enforce this legislation. Probably because when they signed up to becoming a police officer they were more interested in dealing with real crime not turfing homeless people out of empty houses. 

So. That’s the update from us. Solidarity to all. Let us know if we’ve missed anything out! 

A group of London squatters descended on the houses of parliament last Saturday to serve the coalition government notice of eviction. We expect many more actions of a similar nature to come over the next few weeks as the anti-squatting legislation kicks in. Watch this space for updates! 

Full story & pics here:

http://www.demotix.com/news/1420872/squatters-evict-government#slide-17

Epic standoff between Brighton squatters and Sussex police yesterday as new anti squatting legislation is used for the first time in Brighton. It took the police three hours to smash through barricades only to find squatters super glued together in the attic! Three were arrested, despite not actually living in the property, and to our knowledge are still in police custody. Full story here:

http://en.squat.net/2012/09/04/brighton-first-arrests-under-squatban/

https://network23.org/snob/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/sep/04/police-arrest-brighton-squatters?newsfeed=true

Also, 5 others were arrested in Somerset yesterday in a police raid on a squatted residential property. Those arrested were aged between 16 – 18. We don’t yet know if they are going to be charged. Watch this space for updates.

Solidarity to all. 

   
   Whatever they say, Squatting will stay!!

As you are all aware, squatting in residential properties has now been made a criminal offence. This new law will not apply to everyone though. The Squatters Advisory Service have produced a legal notice explaining to the police how the new law doesn’t apply to certain types of squat. 



Good luck everyone!