Berlin: International Call for Action and Discussion Days

By: fawda - September 9th, 2020  Filed under: Communique, News

International Call for Action and Discussion Days in Berlin 30.10.-01.11.2020
International Demo in Berlin 31.10.2020

UNITED WE FIGHT!
Connect Urban Struggles – Defend Autonomous Spaces

Over the last years we experience a global resurgence of reactionary politics. State and capital, in a constant process of intensifying exploitation and expanding repression, used the global capitalist crisis, which started a decade ago, as a chance to further restructure relations of power in their advantage. Their political answer is materialized in a shift to the right, with a political alliance of neoliberal economic policies coupled with strong nationalistic narratives and repressive policies against resistance and progressive movements. The new face of authoritarianism has unleashed an all out attack against individuals it considers unnecessary or those that choose to resist and collectivize against the ruin of their lives. In our current period, states the world over used measures against Covid-19 to extend repression, policing and surveillance against societies. At the same time, the failings of neoliberal healthcare systems have led to masses of deaths and increasing inequality due to access to healthcare. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Leipzig: Who sows wind, will reap storm

By: fawda - September 8th, 2020  Filed under: Communique, News

We look back on a long weekend full of determined action against the increasing evictions, against the gentrification and the unbearable cop siege of our neighbourhoods. After two occupied houses had been evicted within a very short time, the anger about social grievances in Leipzig came to a climax once again.

After the squatted house Luwi71 was evicted on Wednesday, a Day X+1 demonstration was called on Thursday. Several hundred people joined the demonstration and expressed their anger at the eviction of the future social center near Eisenbahnstraße. Cops were attacked, barricades were erected and set on fire. Clashes lasted for several hours, during which even a resquat attempt of the Luwi71 was started. The cops tried again and again to disperse the masses, but instead many smaller demonstrations were formed, which drove the clashes forward. Many spectators joined the masses that were repeatedly scattered and yet found each other again. The anger at the police siege and criminalization of Eisenbahnstrasse, including the no weapons zone, was clearly palpable. In the course of the clashes and after several failed attempts by the cops, they began to shoot at random tear gas into the crowd. The fact that here as well as in the following evening ammunition forbidden according the War Weapon Act was used, which was fired also at journalists, probably surprises nobody knowing the Saxonian police. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lyon: Break-ins and ID checks… the disgusting methods of Grand Lyon Habitat

By: fawda - September 8th, 2020  Filed under: Communique, News

One morning at 7am, Grand Lyon Habitat broke down doors in a squat to register its inhabitants. Unacceptable practices of intimidation. Since a few months, Collomb is no longer mayor of Lyon. He has been thrown out by the green party allied with the “left”, represented by Grégory Doucet at the city hall and Bruno Bernard at the Metropolis. The latter had said that he would soon assert his positions on the subject of housing, when he was questioned on the night of his election by the “Trêve Générale” (general truce) movement.

On Monday, August 17, at 7 a.m., bailiffs came to break down the front door of the squat Le Maria, waking up the inhabitants by forcing their way into each room of the building, breaking the locks of the absent persons and searching through their belongings to find their identities. When we asked them what right they had to do this, the officials answered that they had a warrant, but they never wanted to show it to us, even later when we asked the bailiff for it by e-mail. The bailiffs were not willing to do anything other than put holes in the locks despite our proposals to give them names, either immediately or later by e-mail. Inhabitants and friends therefore had to react by protesting collectively, which eventually pushed them to leave. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , ,

Skopje (Macedonia): Social centre Dunja

By: sisulscz - September 8th, 2020  Filed under: Communique

A new society is possible! A society of people who not only have awareness and take responsibility for themselves, but also, have awareness about and act responsibly toward one another, nature, animals and the well-being of everyone. A society where people will surmount the constraints of imposed differences, regarding class, nationality, religion, gender, race, sexuality, etc. – a society where people will work for the common good, united and in solidarity. This society may be at some distant point in the future; nonetheless it is the only thing worthy of our commitment and struggle today. We, the members of the Left Movement “Solidarnost” and the Youth organisation “Mugra”, joined hands so as to create a solidarity space open for all formal and informal groups, self-organised initiatives, movements, individuals etc.

It is a space open for meeting, organising, networking, as well as activities that contribute towards the creation of a better society by means of creative expression, socialising and fostering comradeship, community and solidarity. Social centre “Dunja” is a space where we nurture a new culture of resistance to the dominant neoliberal policies which, by means of economic inequality, dominate interpersonal relations, translated into an authoritarian capitalist system. This is a space where we develop the political values of economic, ecological and social sustainability among one another, to be attained through the commitment to solidarity, equality, comradeship, social justice, gender emancipation, empathy and collective awareness. The activities organised in Dunja are non-profit and non-commercial. A vast array of events and initiatives is organised regularly, including exhibitions, movie screenings, debates, workshops, concerts, lectures, promotions, plays, meetings etc. Everyone who shares our values is welcome to organise an activity and partake in the care for our collective space.

SCDunja on Fakebook

Tags: ,

Minneapolis: Open Growth Space evicted

By: sisulscz - September 8th, 2020  Filed under: Communique

Open Growth Space, an occupied garden project in Minneapolis, is in the process of being destroyed by the landlord right now (September 7)!


[Read More]

Tags: , , , ,

Berlin: Demo KØPI & Wagenplatz bleibt

By: sisulscz - September 7th, 2020  Filed under: Communique

Whoever buys Køpi, buys troubles!

Køpi and Wagenplatz have been under threat on numerous occasions and recently the Wagenplatz received some news that has reminded us just how at risk we are. We are also aware that we are not the only place currently endangered.

The list of evicted projects will continue to grow if we don’t continue to fight back. With the very recent eviction of Syndikat, a space not only vital for our community but a beloved neighborhood fixture for 35 years, the threat looms larger. None of us are safe from the ugly profiteering of landlords backed up by cops and officials as vicious enforcers of their well-oiled machine. These bullies have and will use any means necessary to silence us. We have been witnesses to and victims of robocops beating down and pepper-spraying unarmed protesters with increasing violence.

In the last year alone, these are the projects that have either already been evicted or are still fighting against it:
[Read More]

Tags: , , ,

Leipzig: Statement on the demonstration “Uniting Struggles – For a Solidary Neighbourhood!”

By: fawda - September 6th, 2020  Filed under: Communique, News

In the evening of 5 september, we organized the demonstration “Connecting Fights – For a Solidary Neighbourhood” with the starting point Hildebrandpark in Connewitz.

In our speeches we discussed the processes of evictions in Connewitz and Leipzig. We criticized the new building projects, as they are no longer affordable for many people here and living space is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. As a result, many people who have lived here for years have to leave the neighborhood. Social networks, structures that have grown over the years and circles of friends are destroyed.

We declared our solidarity with the squatters of the last weeks in Leipzig in the Ludwigstrasse 71 and the Bornaische Strasse 34 and read a greeting of the evicted LuWi squatters inside. A speech expressed our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the so-called United States. We expressly join the Free Them All campaign, which demands the release of all prisoners of the George Floyd Rebellion. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Crete: Rosa Nera evicted

By: sisulscz - September 6th, 2020  Filed under: Communique

Following the police raid and evacuation of Terra Incognita, a 16 years old squat in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 17 August 2020, another squat was raided today, (5 September 2020), this time in Chania, Crete where Rosa Nera squat stood ground since 2004.

Following the police raid, hundreds of people marched in solidarity through the small greek island town in the afternoon and held a public assembly in the evening to decide the next steps of resistance.

Another protest is taking place right now in Chania, while in Exarchia, Athens a solidarity demo to Rosa Nera Squat is also taking place. The mass participation in the protests and assemblies is a clear sign of the Squat’s openness and interconnection with society and the people’s reaction to the plans of turning the historic building into a hotel owned by an Israeli company.

More than 2.000 protesters protest last night in Chania in solidarity with Rosa Nera Squat in a town of 55.000 inhabitants. In Athens many people gathered in solidarity with Rosa Negra at Exarcheia square.

Enough14

Tags: , , ,

Leipzig: Luwi71 evicted, but the price is getting higher and higher

By: sisulscz - September 5th, 2020  Filed under: News

On Wednesday September 2, just two days before the Weekend of discussion and action started, cops evicted the Luwi 71 squat. In the days that followed the price of the eviction was getting higher and higher and it ain’t over yet. Tonight (Sept 5) there will be another demo.
[Read More]

Tags: , ,

Seattle: Police Sweep Mutual Aid Soup Kitchen, Black Bloc Returns Fire

By: sisulscz - September 5th, 2020  Filed under: Communique

In the morning hours of Tuesday September 1st, Seattle Parks Department and Seattle Police initiated a sweep of unhoused people staying at Cal Anderson Park and the soup kitchen and community center set up in and around the previously abandoned (and now repurposed) shelter-house at the center of the park. Police pushed people out of the area surrounding the shelter house, making several arrests and claiming the park was closed while people could be seen working out and walking their dogs on the other side of the field. Seattle Police also confiscated a cache of shields, as well as spike strips. Seattle Parks employees confiscated tents, clothes and camping gear, only to throw them in a garbage truck, while snacking on food donated for the Shelter House and unhoused people with Seattle Police. Several arrests were made.

[Read More]

Tags: , ,

Caen: as long as there are people on the street, we’ll squat!

By: fawda - September 4th, 2020  Filed under: News

Demonstration Saturday, September 5, 2 pm.

Since last June 24th, the Calvados prefecture has evicted nine squats in the Caen agglomeration in which about 360 people lived, the majority of which were families with children. The squats on rue Bayet in Mondeville and rue La Varende in Hérouville-Saint-Clair were evicted during the extended winter truce on July 10 with a state of health emergency. Seven other squats have since been evicted: allée du Bosphore in Caen, route de Caen à Ifs, rue Pasteur in Mondeville, rue Desmoueux, Boulevard Guillou, rue Damozanne and rue de la Grace de dieu in Caen.

The Prefecture’s intention is to place a maximum number of people in CRA (Administrative Detention Center) or to assign them to residence, thus putting them under the permanent threat of expulsion from French territory. The policy of repression put in place by the state is intensifying, two Georgians were recently expelled following a squat eviction.

Currently, around 200 people do not have a permanent accommodation solution, some of them benefit from temporary solidarity, others live in tents or in their cars in undignified conditions. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Leipzig: Luwi71 evicted

By: fawda - September 3rd, 2020  Filed under: Communique, News

You can take the Luwi from us, but not our dreams

Yesterday on september 2nd the Luwi71 was evicted. At about six o’clock in the morning, cops started trying to enter the house. Thanks to strong barricades, this was not possible with the battering ram. Only chainsaws gave the state authorities access. After about three hours the police announced the end of the operation on Twitter. So the Luwi was empty again and dreams of non-commercial open spaces and cheap housing lay in ruins like the entrance door.
Thanks to the solidarity and vigilance of local residents and a dedicated surveillance system monitoring the movement of the cops in the neighbourhood, the people in the house were all able to flee from the police in time. Nevertheless, four people were picked up near the house and their identities were established. Three people were then temporarily taken to the Dimitroff guard. Two people on suspicion of trespassing. They are therefore accused of having been squatters. The third person because of an open arrest warrant, which is due to an unpaid fine for incorrectly affixing a dog tax stamp. After the money was paid, the third person could leave.
The other two were also able to leave the station around half past ten, but not before DNA was taken from them and their ears measured.
It has been shown that profits and capital are more important than the needs of city dwellers. Private property as the highest value of this system has won once again. Once again the state is unable to provide housing for all people. The needs of the people are secondary in this system. [Read More]

Tags: , , , , , ,