CAMDEN GARDEN CENTRE RESISTANCE

On Tuesday we went to support the second resistance of the year, this time in a much loved community garden project in Camden.
Derelict greenhouses, left to ruin for over 12 years, transformed into a thriving community garden and arts space. A really inspiring use of urban wasteland. More about this amazing project here:

http://www.squashcampaign.org/2012/12/put-property-to-productive-use/

colourfully dressed resistance saw off the forces of darkness in true community style . Numerous vans of police, a dog team and a helicopter were peacefully deflected by the 80 strong resistance. An aggressive attack on the group locked on outside the front gates led to one arrest and a few minor injuries. Once the chain on the gate had been angle grinded off, those inside the perimeter fought back with heavy barricades and sheer community power. People clambered to the roof and those on the ground piled pallet after pallet against the gates. Much joy was had when, after a frenzied attack, the cops, bailiff’s and security staff decided to call it a day. The residents of the Camden Garden centre sleep once again amongst their blossoming community garden.

Here’s the pic’s:

First cops on scene calling for backup
Cops quickly grew in numbers
Rooftop resistance
Cops and bailiffs suddenly charge at the resistance in front of the gate
Cops pulling and kicking at the peaceful resistance
Angle grinding the chain on the gate
One arrest for an alleged breach of the peace
People protecting each other from angry cops
Cops still unable to get in….
The resistance defiantly move back into position once the cops pull back
A song of success when the forces of darkness  finally sulk off with their tails between their legs







FIRST RESISTANCE OF 2013 – COME ON THEN LETS ‘AVE IT!

Well well well. 2013 arrived and with what style! The first week of the year kicked off with an EPIC 8 hour standoff between the forces of darkness and the resistance. A building owned by the crown estate, one of wealthiest property hoarders of the UK, was scheduled for eviction at 10.00am last Fri. However, as the property is awaiting planning permission (so it can be part-demolished and turned into – you guessed it! -Luxury flats!) the occupants saw no reason why they should be forced out onto the streets prematurely. A large group gathered in solidarity and there was a very fine display of resistance from all. Although the property was finally cleared, it took the forces of darkness pretty much the whole day to carry out their wrong doing. Several people were tweeting the action live as it happened; here are a few choice tweets/pics! Massive bigup’s to all those involved. 

rooftop standoff in Pimlico #eviction #resistance this morning. Riot police have just arrived #solidarity 
Standoff continues between riot cops & #squatters.Longterm#emptybuilding awaiting demolition #housingcrisis #homelessness@BoardedBritain
Police have closed grosvenor rd as #riot cops prepare to storm building
Police just opened random house door thinking it was another entrance into the squat #megalolz 

Roof occupation still going strong at the squat eviction

Grosvenor road finally cleared after an epic 8.5 hour #eviction#resistance.Bigup’s to all those involved& keep #fightingthegoodfight

UKUNCUT HOUSING ACTION: 08/12


Last Saturday a few of us attended an action on Upper Street, Angel that was organized by ukuncut and housing for the 99%. Tax dodging Starbucks was the target of choice for anti cuts activists and a temporary shelter was set up in front of the cafe to highlight how government cuts are impacting those in vulnerable housing. Curtains were put up over the facade, much to the confusion of coffee sipping customers, and a dining table was positioned in front of the main entrance with a selection of house warming treats. 

Although the original plan had been to set up inside Starbucks itself, this was prevented by a large police presence. The shop was forced to close though for approximately an hour as talks were held by the large group gathered outside. The action received an overwhelming amount of support from passersby and overall was a huge success. Here’s the pic’s!


The gathering outside Starbucks, Upper Street.


Talks by various housing related groups including Housing for the 99%, DIGS and Fuel Poverty Action


Placard of the day – ‘too little, too latte’


Squat activist Pete the Temp talks about squatting and homelessness


Sadly, this will be the case for many next year


Getting the message out to Islington


After being moved on from outside Starbucks, we crossed to road to target another tax dodger – Foxtons!!


Pete blows the horn of justice at Foxtons staff


Last talk of the action before heading off to a local pub for some well deserved refreshmentPhotos By Anthony Mortarelli 

LONDON HOUSING SOLIDARITY MEETING 2012

  • Tenants, travellers and squatters:
    Sick and tired of being ripped off? Been bullied by bailiffs? Moved on with no place to go? You’re not alone. 
    Join us for an afternoon of housing related discussion, strategizing and networking. Talks from various groups on upcoming campaigns & actions alongside performances from London’s finest housing activists. 
    Saturday 24th Nov 2012. Discussion from 14.00 – 18.00. Colorama 2, 44-48 Lancaster Street,
    London SE1 0RY 


    *Enquires:evictionresistance[at]squat.net 07591 415860*


    An eviction for one is an eviction for all.

FAREWELL, COMRADE!

Keith Robin, the founder and inspiration for the Eviction Resistance Network, sadly passed away last month after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage. An inspiration to many, he will leave a massive hole in the heart of the squatting movement. All those who knew him loved him, and all those he knew he loved. He is sorely missed by us and that is why we have taken a short break to allow ourselves to grieve. He contributed greatly to this blog and, as a close comrade, these are what I guess would have been his last words for the eviction resistance blog:


‘One in 7 people on this planet squat. You are not alone. Housing is a human right. Fight back! Resist! Community power! Whatever they say, SQUATTING WILL STAY!!’


Solidarity and much love to all. 

A TRIP TO THE NEWLY OPENED ‘HOBO HILTON’

Photo
Entrance to the Hobo Hilton


Early yesterday evening on Saturday 6thOctober we visited the newly opened office building ‘Hobo Hilton’ , at 203 High Holborn, which has apparently been empty since 2003.


This squatted space was a hive of activity. The welcome desk in the foyer was surrounded by many excited visitors, including quite a large media group .Despite the name this newly opened project, which has been formed by a number of groups including Occupy, doesn’t have an open door policy  to simply house homeless people, though shelter does seem to be a part of what The Hobo Hilton has on offer.

 Raising public awareness of the massive housing crisis this country is in, the consequences of the savage financial cuts those in power are still in the process of inflicting  on the infrastructure of our society and the dangers we all face if the issues of climate change are dealt with by yet more cuts and green wash.are on the agenda for this activist hub .A mix of informative workshops and direct action are the tools of choice for the people involved in this project. On offer on Saturday, which was an open day was a very fine banner making session, a beautiful and thought provoking art exhibition provided by a number of artists and an entertaining  cabaret in the evening. All free.

We recommend a visit sooner rather than later (court coming up this week) Donations of useful items, food, your time or  suggestions on how to use the space would all be welcome. 

Facebook Group here:


Daily Mail Article (!):


Demotix Pics:

HACKNEY PUB ‘THE SCREW’ NAILS RESISTANCE!!!

Photo



A successful eviction resistance in Hackney squatters’ local ‘The Screw’ this morning. Despite an overwhelming early start to the resistance (a plethora of bailiffs and private security guards with very angry dogs) the numbers of the resistance gradually swelled to an impressive 30/35 strong crowd. After a two hour standoff, numerous cups of tea and slices of melon, the forces of darkness eventually left the derelict pub and it’s occupants in peace – much to the delight of the resistance! 


A much needed success considering the newly opened ‘Cuts Cafe’ was evicted yesterday evening after harassment from the Met and riot police. At first they threatened to storm the building and arrest folk for abstraction of electricity. Although when presented with evidence that the group had spoke to an energy company earlier that day they changed their minds… They were now adamant that the group were committing aggravated trespass and thus felt the need to call 3 vans of riot cops. Proportionate. 


So. Although no arrests were made, the building was emptied and re-secured by security. The police often use the offence of aggravated trespass as a way of getting people out of buildings. In the case of the cuts cafe, the building was empty. There were no signs that it was in use. The cops claimed that there were meetings scheduled there though for ‘sometime in the future’. So. Aggravated trespass. Were these people really committing this offence? Or were these empty threats? Judge for yourself.

a. Aggravated trespass (section 68, Criminal justice and public order act 1994)

‘(1) A person commits the offence of aggravated 
trespass if he trespasses on land and, in relation to any 
lawful activity which persons are engaged in on the 
land, does there anything which is intended by him to have the effect of:
(a) intimidating those persons or any of them so as to 
deter them or any of them from engaging in that 
activity
(b) obstructing that activity
(c) disrupting that activity’
The section goes on to define ‘lawful activity’ as an 
activity which can be engaged in without committing 
an offence or trespassing on land.’  So if the activity 
wasn’t lawful or there was no actual activity taking 
place then you will have a defence.
This offence can only be tried in the magistrates court. 
The maximum penalty is 3 months imprisonment, a 
fine of up to £2,500, or both. First timers would probably get a fine in the region of £200-300.

(Courtesy of www.activistslegalproject.org.uk)

CARDIFF SQUATTERS FIGHT BACK!

Occupied Spin bowling - now Gremlin Alley, City Road, Cardiff


First eviction resistance in Cardiff in over a decade ongoing at the Gremlin Alley Squatted Social centre in Cardiff. Here’s the latest update: 

UPDATE – 3pm

Latest update is that cops scaled down to between two and five in the last hour and have just been stood across the road with two bailiffs and the janitor. No attempt at entry so far.

Still several squatters on the roof, wearing masks, and a few people still outside, but not as many as before.

Passing cars have been supportive, with one woman apparently saying “don’t move, stay strong!”

And the house over the road, near where the cops are standing, is playing Public Enemy, Rage against the Machine and CRASS loudly through the upstairs window! Last we heard the Autonomads had just been requested, but folks on the roof are after black paint to make signs to save shouting requests across the road and food is also welcomed (vegan if possible).

Photos from the day due up shortly…but more to come as they haven’t gone…

And thanks for the messages of support received from places ranging from Swansea to Brighton!

Solidarity to all squatters and Alex Haigh!

Here’s the Indymedia article from this morning:

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/10/500908.html

Respect!!


**UPDATE** 4PM New Pic!




***UPDATE 6PM***

After an all day rooftop standoff, Police and bailiffs have finally left the property and the residents remain in their home.  We heard there are rooftop celebrations ongoing which will very likely continue for a good while! Another successful resistance for the UK squatting community in these difficult times. Big up to the Cardiff squat collective – today you really showed them that whatever they say…..


SQUATTING WILL STAY!!!!

FIRE SAFETY

We came across an article today about how many people are living in precarious living conditions in the capital. The upsurge of rents in the private sector combined with a lack of available social housing has forced many into the rental of sheds, garages and spaces not fit for habitation. This has sadly led to 4 deaths and 45 injuries over the past three years due to fire. Is this your big society Cameron? Where unscrupulous landlords capitalise off people’s need for shelter? Where people can afford no better roof over their heads than that of a garden shed? There is a dire need for affordable housing in the capital and until the government start putting people before profit we can only imagine things will worsen.Here’s the BBC article:



If you’re worried about fire hazards in your home, contact the London Fire Brigade fire safety team on 08000 284428. They offer a home visit team who will come and advise you how to protect yourself from fire hazards and also install free smoke alarms.  

NEWS ROUND UP!

After an exhausting few weeks of evictions, arrests, scuffles with the police and dodgy internet connections we’re finally able to update the blog again. So, lots has been going on here’s a quick round up:

FRIERN BARNET LIBRARY




As most of you will be aware, Friern Barnet Public Library, which was closed down due to cuts, has been reopened and given back to the community. They had court last week and managed to get an adjournment for three weeks. They had poetry and spoken word workshops last Sat followed by a jam session which the local residents got involved in. Big up Friern Barnet Crew!!!


**Book donations and volunteers greatly appreciated!**

LASPO? FUCK NO! LET OUR GUY GO!!




Alex Haigh, 21, of London is currently serving a 12 weeks sentence at Wormwood Scrubs for the ‘offence’ of squatting in a residential building. This has saddened the squatting community greatly. So, lets get pens and paper out and send him some messages of solidarity. The newly formed Squatters Legal Network are collecting in messages of support. Give them a shout if you want to send him something.


https://network23.org/squatterslegalnetwork/


SQUATTASTIC!




A rather wet squattastic happened a few Sundays ago in Waterloo. Torrential rain meant many were not able to attend but cheers to those who did. A member of Greentech did a workshop on off grid energy which was really informative and useful – solar panels are the way forward! There was then a intergroup meeting between various squat related groups about how the new legislation is kicking in. The next Squattastic date was decided but we’ve lost one of our diaries somewhere in squatworld so can’t actually put it up here. Will post date/location asap. 

SOLIDARITY TO ALL!




To finish, we want to say a massive thank you to all those who have been rushed off their feet the last few weeks protecting our community from homelessness and arrest. From commercial squats who are providing shelter to residential squats thrown out on the streets to individuals who are using their free time support other crews in finding a place to live. Massive respect to all. Together we are so much stronger. 


It’s been a rough few weeks and many of us are exhausted by recent events. The governments attack on our peaceful community has caused so much unnecessary havoc and stress. When times are tough remember that the community is here and it’s stronger than ever. Have a read of this article it made us remember exactly why we’re doing what we do and why its so worth fighting for. Much love to all. 


http://cutscafelondon.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/guest-blog-on-squatting-by-a-london-anarchist-and-squatter/