February 26, 2013 – 1:16 pm
Section 144 (S144) of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (LASPO) came into force on September 1st 2012. SQUASH, concerned about the lack of an impact analysis of the law’s effect, has decided to investigate, analyse and evaluate the direct and indirect consequences of S144.
February 19, 2013 – 6:10 pm
Despite a lack of direct legislative support, property guardianship has grown sharply in the last 5 years, so that now there are at least nineteen different property guardian companies offering their services to private landlords and local authorities, with the major active players the Dutch companies Camelot and Ad Hoc. Guardian companies can set restrictive limitations on licensees, such as that they are not allowed to have children, be unemployed, become ‘intentionally’ unemployed, or in receipt of state benefit, and screen applicants for those who are “deserving” rather than in need. Property guardianship crosses boundaries between housing, employment and prison; it is a scam of epic proportion.
February 12, 2013 – 4:35 pm
Squattastic is an organising network for squatters. There are groups in London and Bristol. With many facing increasing difficulty finding a stable home, and the threat of further criminalisation on the horizon, we encourage anyone who is squatting to head down to the next London meeting, this Sunday, and find out how everyone can support each other better. From the Invite: There will be Practical and Legal Resistance Workshops, films and an exhibition with a People’s Kitchen afterwards. It’s the usual 2-6 with extra social afterwards if you want to stay, Central London location to be confirmed. If anyone wants […]
February 12, 2013 – 1:52 pm
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY GROW HEATHROW! What? Grow Heathrow, the squatted market garden by Heathrow Airport, will turn 3 years old this March – it’s time to celebrate! Come along for a day of feasting, music, cake competitions, swap shops, arts and crafts, seed sewing, and celebrations. Bring your friends, family and an entry for the cake competition! When? Saturday 2nd March, from 1.27pm sharp. Where? Grow Heathrow, Vineries Close, Sipson, West Drayton, UB7 0JG Check out the photos from last year’s birthday here!
February 12, 2013 – 11:51 am
In Friern Barnet, local people and Occupy activists came together to fight back against government cuts. The local library, which like thousands up and down the country faced closure in the name of austerity, was squatted for 5 months, restocked with books from donations, and reopened by the Occupiers and the community. The council has now agreed to hand back the keys to the community. Here’s an short film of this inspiring story, which goes to show that squatting can indeed be good for society. A Polite Revolution from Oonagh Cousins on Vimeo.
February 6, 2013 – 4:09 pm
Russian police evict historic railway station in St. Petersburg which is due to be demolished to make way for high rise flats.
19 squatters arrested and several hospitalised. Those on trial need support and help with legal fees. Find out more or donate at- russiaukasn@riseup.net
February 5, 2013 – 5:26 pm
The NewsRound will be a fortnightly to monthly post, keeping tabs on articles being posted in MainStream Media (MSM) sources, as well as independent channels (eg IMC, SchNEWS) about squatting, the new law (s.144) and possible new legislation (eg commercial). For the Period: 1st January – 5th February 2013. Contains: Early Day Motion 192, Repeal s144 LASPO Petition, Friern Barnet Library Saved Thanks to Squatting, Curtailing Freedom of Information by Criminalising Squatting, Another Arrest, Attack of the Media Whores, Greece: The Attack on Greek Squats [Villa Amalias et al], Brazil: “This fight will not be done for you, it will be done by you.” , Ireland: “Squatter told he can stay in NAMA ghost estate home”, Lambeth Super Co-op, Property Guardianship company Ad Hoc in Cardiff, Haringey Housing Public Event and Freedom Bookshop Firebombed.
By jm
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Posted in Blog
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Tagged ad hoc, arrests, Brazil, early day motion, EDM 192, FOI, freedom bookshop, Freedom of Information, friern barnet library, Greece, haringey housing, Ireland, Lambeth Super Co-op, petition, Vice, Villa Amalias
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February 5, 2013 – 3:12 pm
SQUASH are currently busy planning a campaign to repeal section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill – the clause which criminalised squatting in residential properties. We aren’t going to say much more than that for now but we have launched a petition which should give you an idea of some of the arguments we will be using. Sign the petition here – it has already received over 1500 signatures in just over a week.
February 5, 2013 – 3:04 pm
At midday today, exactly five months since the occupation began, the community of Barnet took possession of the Friern Barnet Library. The local community – represented by the trustees of the library – are on the verge of agreeing a two-year lease with Barnet Council (LBB) to run the library with some funding from the council. At the ceremony, squatters and supporters of the Occupy movement, who have been keeping the building open and enabling the local community to run a book lending service and community centre in the building, will hand it over to the trustees of the newly […]
