This morning activists and anarchists have rallied round to defend Gremlin Alley, the squatted bowling alley and cinema on City Road, in Roath, Cardiff.
The eviction resistance is also in solidarity with Alex Haig, the 21 year old squatter who was the first squatter sentenced to prison under the new anti-squatting law, which began on September 1st this year.
The bailiffs arrived around 10am this morning and seeing the support outside the 100 year old building, which opened as the Gaiety Cinema and skating rink in 1912, and realising they had no hope getting through, called the cops for back up.
The cops though, didn’t stick around for long, and conversations were overheard about a meeting between cops and bailiffs in Cathays, the neighbouring area.
About an hour later cops and bailiffs came back, but decided against trying anything and left again shortly after. The resistance stayed strong and when two cops came back to try and talk to the resisters were politely told to “go and fuck themselves”.
The state tries to make people homeless, anarchists have no sympathy for the state and it’s lackeys.
UPDATE: 12:05pm lots of cops just arrived. Stand by for an update – together we are the resistance!
LATER UPDATE:
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 playing Public Enemy, Rage against the Machine and CRASS loadly 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!
