On Monday June 25, it was suddenly announced that the occupied student housing block in Catania (studentato 95100) would be evicted, on grounds of public order. People made barricades on the street and saw off the eviction threat.
The block was squatted in February 2018 after being empty for ten years. In the last six months the owner (Ursino Recupero) had made no attempt to contact the students, who have self-organised their accommodation since the university fails to provide it. As well as giving people a place to stay, the block has provided a study room, organised social events and hosted conferences on social movements, including the SqEK 2018 conference.
To respond to this unexpected threat, supporters of the student block have occupied a library which is also owned by Ursino Recupero at Monastero dei Bendettini.
