Updated International Squatters Convergence Info

 

 

Following on from successful gatherings in Dijon ’07, Leeds ’08, Berlin ’08, Bristol ’09, Barcelona ’10 and Grenoble ’10, a convergence will be held in Brighton this May. Come enjoy the sand, sea and sun (maybe) and network with squatters from all over the world.

There will be practical workshops on skills and politics relevant to contemporary squatting. There will also be film showings and exhibitions to showcase the struggle of housing and squatting movements worldwide .

There are already workshops confirmed by attendees, however, we always need more. Please get in contact if you can offer something. There will also be open spaces throughout the convergence to run spontaneous workshops, exhibitions or discussions, both formally and informally.

This convergence will be more necessary than ever, given the impending criminalisation of squatting in the UK, following the example of many other European countries, e.g. Holland. Come to network and strategise about how we can survive the impending law change and ever-present state repression.

This is a chance to catch up with your fellow squatters, to learn new skills and to enjoy yourself!

For more information or if you want to bring stuff for the exhibition, get involved in organising, host workshops or other events at the convergence please contact  convergencebrighton@riseup.net or phone 07583010898.

Illegal squat eviction in Bristol, residents move next door!

After heavies broke down the door at 4 Pritchard St, St Pauls (opposite Cabot Circus) this afternoon, squatters resited barricading themselves in an upstairs room for over half an over. People turned up to show support and there was a brief attempt to re-occupy but heavies began assualting people to remove them from the building, as cops were breaking down doors upstairs. More cops were then called who arrived in numbers with a crowbar to aid the illegal eviction.

Once the remaining squatters were evicted, and police largely left leaving only two to talk to the heavies inside number 4, people began moving their belongings into next door, number 5, which had also been recently squatted. One of the remaining cops attempted to get to the door, but people blocked his ability to do so reminding him that Section 6 prevented him legally from even stepping on the doorstep without premission from the occupiers - much to his dissapointment!

Within a few minutes both the cops left, not bothering to call for back up as squatters celebrated on the roof and continued to further secure the building. End result of the illegal eviction? Strangely overwhelmingly positive!

Bristol May-hem: 2 Highstreets attacked in 1 night

From Bristol Indymedia:

On the night of May 1st (2am Wednesday morning) a number of targets in 2 different locations were attacked. In Downend, the windows and ATMs of Lloyds and HSBC banks were smashed, with a Besley Hill and St Andrews estate agents both smashed up as well. On Wells Road in Knowle, the windows and ATMs of a Natwest were destroyed, as well as a Money Shop; Besley Hill and Mathews estate agents were also attacked.

Whilst Mayday once commemorated the lives of anarchists murdered by Chicago State Police, it has now been recuperated by the reformist left into a celebration of the working class. We wish to destroy work – its logic and content – and no state sanctioned bank holiday, party or celebration even begins to touch on our hatred of it.

We are not specialists in social struggle, we work as you do, we shop where you shop and we catch the bus with you, yet we’ve decided that enough is enough.

Banks and estate agents represent the ownership of property, privatization and corporate control. Banks play a leading role in the impoverishment of our lives through the destruction of our environment and our dependence on the economy. They support dictators, arms dealers and the military who invest in murderous regimes. Money lenders such as the Money Shop are legalized loan sharks, flourishing in times of recession by preying on the poor. The estate agents make huge profits from the gentrification of our neighborhoods and the urban landscape. All these businesses show the extent to which the land and our lives have been colonized by capitalism.

That is why it brings us joy when banks are continuously attacked in Bristol, blown up and robbed in Santiago (get well Tortuga, freedom for Marcello, Freddy and Juan!), set alight in Ottawa (freedom for Roger Clement!) and Yogyakarta (freedom for Eat and Billy!).

With regards to the criminalization of squatting, we wish to be part of no campaign defending its legalization. Instead we stand with the excluded who act in a manner that serves their own autonomy, independent of any governing body. This includes those on rent strike, strategic squatting in the context of genuine struggle (rather than as an end in itself) and all those who have taken back space from the rich without falling into the monotonous binary of legal/illegal. We hope that the autonomous housing movement can develop into something more dynamic, radical and dangerous. Because property is still theft, rent is still robbery, and profit is still only another word for plunder!

We choose this method to break the illusion of social peace. Taking action means taking control of our lives, not asking the state for scraps.

The future is unwritten…

Kilnaboy + Private Gain + The Migraines @ The Plough: for two people arrested and fined after the illegal eviction of a squat in Easton, Bristol last year

 

The Bastard Squad Collective presents a benefit for two people arrested after the illegal eviction of a squat in Easton, last year. All money raised will go towards paying court costs. Any money left over will go towards squatting and legal defence groups. 

 

KILNABOY
South Wales’ own rowdy rebel folk punk!

PRIVATE GAIN
Bristol’s knees-up, beat down skacore!

THE MIGRAINES
Fresh-faced hardcore upstarts from Bristol!

SATURDAY 12TH MAY
THE PLOUGH, EASTON

£4 | 8PM

 

www.bastardsquadcollective.wordpress.com

OH we do like to squat beside the seaside!

Squatters Convergence Brighton 2012
Thurs 17th – Sun 20th May

Following the success of  previous squatting convergences across Europe
(Dijon ’07, Leeds, Berlin ’08 & Bristol ’09) the Squatters Network of
Brighton (S.N.O.B) invites YOU for a weekend by the sea for the next
squatter convergence!
With a bit of luck there should be some workshops (nominate yourself to
run one!) and plenty of opportunities to get  rowdy with your fellow
squatters.

Celebrate squatting, meet squatters from all over the UK and other
countries, spread the word about what’s going on in your city, and
mobilise for action against the squatting ban right on Mike Weatherly’s
door step.

In true squatter style this event will be focused on D.I.Y. and autonomous
ethos so bring ideas, friends and things to share.

For more information or if you want to get involved in organising, hosting
workshops or other events at the convergence please contact
convergencebrighton@riseup.net or phone 07583010898

Expect crowded floors and gak galore!



www.network23.org/snob

AND ALSO FROM THE SQUASHLINGZ....
hello out there

squatters networks in the UK are gonna be under increasing pressure
                                                                                                and in need of
                                                                                                           increased organisation and cross-country communication - as we're pushed into
                                   an ever tighter corner

squash would like to support the 2012 Squatters Convergence happening in Brighton (17-20 May) by offering squatters from other cities some dough towards coach//train tickets to the convergence - if the cost of travel or the time for hitching would prevent you from getting there

we have limited funds but could cover early booked travel for a couple of people from different cities//squatter networks across the country - unfortunatley we can't pay for continental squatters trips - soz

if you would like squash to book tickets for reps from your ends please email - info@squashcampaign.org.uk - and we'll see what we can do - can't promise - but we know how important it is for this convergence to be well attended if we're gonna get through the next chapter altegether whatever the weather

by having squatters from all corners converging to plot and scheme hopefully we can protect ourselves and resist extinction

when emailing - please detail what squat stuff you're up to wherever you're at and how you might spread the word on whatever comes out of the conference.

see you thurrr . . .

(_pass it on_)

BHAMMMMMM!!!!

DOWNLOAD THE PDF. HURRRR

Second Squatters March in Bristol

Following on from the previous demonstration on Friday 30th March and in response to the callout for another Day of Action; people gathered once again outside Metropolis, Stokes Croft on Saturday 14th April to protest against the House of Lords recent decent to criminalise squatting in residential properties. From the beginning there was a much higher police presence that last time with several officers patrolling Stokes Croft and keeping guard over Metropolis while two riot vans sat quietly round the corner outside Montpelier Station.

While people waited for more numbers to arrive two banners where hung on the old Metropolis noticeboard. One read: "CONTEMPT OF COURT: Solidarity With All Those Who House Themselves By All Means!" and another which read: "United People Of Earth: KEEP FREE HOUSING". Shortly afterwards a tricycle soundsystem turned up and the protest decided to move on (despite all the Police fears that the meeting point outside Metropolis was a clever ruse to break-in under the cover of daylight).

The protest moved down Stokes Croft where it took the road and made it's way towards town, stopping briefly outside Classic's Free Shop and The Emporium so people could show their support for the two buildings which have been squatted for several years and resisted eviction on multiple occassions. When they reached the St. James Barton roundabout people continued to block the road on their way towards Broadmead.

Chants of "Who's Street? Our Street!", "Build A Bonfire...", "All Bailiffs are Bastards" and "Stop Shopping, Start Squatting" could be heard over the soundsystem.

Once in Broadmead people quickly made their way through The Galleries where the soundsystem could be properly appreciated and heard all throughout the building. Cabot Circus was next on the list, where impromptu banner drops appeared either side of the balconies surrounding the central plaza (much to the dismay of the security).

On their way back through Broadmead another banner drop happened over the entrance to a church in the centre. Police made moves to arrest those who'd done the banner drop but where outsmarted when they simply climbed down the opposite side to where the officers where standing!

The protest then made it's way to Bristol Magistrate's Court where another impromptu banner drop left the Police and courts looking rather silly as the "CONTEMPT OF COURT" banner hung from the gates of the court, complete with two big middle fingers. After another brief party outside the courts the demonstration moved back towards Stokes Croft.

At Stokes Croft the demonstration finished outside Tesco where protestors stopped to wish them a Happy Birthday, which Tesco responded to by shutting down early and closing the shutters! The Police soon moved in and tried to move people out of the road and onto the pavement. A Section 14 announcement was made which permitted any form of protest after 4:00PM.

Police eventually arrested 11 people from breach of Section 14 of the Public Order act. As far as we're aware all but two accepted a caution and the rest are on police bail awaiting further action.

Click here for a recent article on the current situation on the new squatting law.