Baile Hoose was given up today (30/11), long live Baile Hoose! Here’s some updates:
29 November: We will be leaving the former Hamish Allan Centre tomorrow at 2pm. We would love to see you at the gates. If you were able to stay here during COP26 or if you’ve visited afterwards please come and help us say goodbye. Bring your protest signs and songs.
We achieved our primary goal of providing shelter to activists who had nowhere to stay during COP26. Our continued occupation has been a protest against the lack of accessible and emergency accommodation in Glasgow, as well as the continuing degradation of public buildings. We now ask that the council work to put this building and similar buildings in the city back into use, with community needs and community autonomy at the centre.
We’re so grateful for all your donations towards our legal fundraiser over the past week. We’re not sure exactly where we will stand legally tomorrow afternoon, but we will provide an update as soon as we can.
Love and Solidarity,
Baile Hoose
24 November: We survived tonight (for now) Got interviewed by STV News , the sheriff illegally refused to accept the legal defence that got sent tae them this morning and wouldnae allow a defense to be presented – straight up refused to read the defence they have the duty to recognise! NAE JUSTICE !
We welcome people who can come and show their support and be helpful. This might be the end of Baile Hoose . That building belongs to the people and as we all ken PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW ! Help us keep this building
24 November: URGENT! Baile Hoose needs yous! 180 CENTRE STREET G5 8EE – The Sheriff has granted the decree in full as requested by Glasgow City Council! The Sheriff has expressly stated that they are refusing to accept the legal defence submitted to them this morning in line with the Summary Cause Rules 2002. They refuse to allow us to present our defence and refused to read the defence submitted to them this morning as requested.
We need a show of Solidarity and as many people to attend the Hoose as possible to resist and demonstrate an absolute show of strength!
Freedom November 22: In the latest threat to Baile Hoose, Glasgow City Council are taking the occupation to court this Wednesday, 24 November 2021, seeking possession of the building and immediate eviction. Ordinarily eviction would require a 21 day notice period, but the Council are seeking permission to remove this obligation. This curtailed process would leave the Hoose vulnerable to eviction immediately if the Council are successful, and the rapid legal moves make it difficult for the Hoose to find adequate legal support.
Baile Hoose, formerly overnight accommodation for asylum seekers, was occupied during COP26 to house activists who had been excluded from the climate conference. It housed hundreds during that time and helped their voices to be heard. Since then the Hoose has grown as a community project, offering practical solutions to the housing crisis. The building, which was unused, has been given basic renovation and is still occupied, providing much needed shelter and a vital community network.
Betty, spokesperson for the Baile Hoose occupation, said:
“We continue to occupy Baile Hoose in protest against the lack of accessible and emergency accommodation in Glasgow. We recognise that Glasgow City Council are in a position where they are chronically and unacceptably underfunded. Time and time again public services are shut down and public assets sold off in an attempt to balance the books.”
“However, this only deepens the problem. We cannot continue reliving this story whilst poverty continues to grow. This community asset has been empty for over 3 years. If not brought back into use, it risks being sold to private developers who continue to profit off the systematic destruction of community spaces in Glasgow. Instead these buildings need to be brought back up to standard so they can be run by the community, for the community. We urgently ask the community and politicians to speak out in support of allowing unused public buildings to the public.”
“The police have harassed and raided us, but we have remained resilient, and our presence in this building has been an asset to the community. It is unacceptable that the council are attempting to disregard their obligation to give notice to its occupants. We demand Glasgow City Council drop this attempt to sidestep their duty of care and stop obstructing community use of public buildings.”
