View Full Version : Brixton Advice Centre Squatted
A friend of mine who volunteers at the Brixton Advice Centre on Railton Road is very upset because squatters have moved into their new building and are refusing to move out. So now the BAC has to spend some of its money on legal action to get them out.
I have no quarrel with squatters who occupy unused buildings and look after them, but this seems bloody outrageous to me. Apparently the previous squatters were very reasonable, and moved out just before the BAC was due to start its building work, then the new squatters saw their chance and moved in. Do they have no social conscience? Do they not care that this is a community resource which helps people for free? Obviously not.
Rant over.
I think you're dead right. I've been to countless squats/squat parties. I'm all for them. But if you're an ethical squatter you use unused buildings, not allocated HA/council flats or the premises of the bloody Brixton Advice Centre ffs! - an organization that provides free advice, often to the poorest or most vulnerable.
IntoStella
10-10-2003, 12:45
Blimmin' 'eck! So are they living there? But surely it isn't equipped to be residential if it's office space? WTF is the matter with these people? :confused: What have they got against BAC? Why don't they go and squat some long-term empty LBL property? There's plenty around. Grr! This sort of thing really reinforces the Daily Mail notion of what squatters are like. I would like to find out who these buttheads are and have a talk with them. :mad:
They're not some 12-year-old Italian anarchists or something who have come over here looking for 121 and decided to break into the BAC premises instead, are they?
I have a feeling they may well be Italian -- or Eurosquatters, as they're known! It would be good if this could be sorted out amicably, but I've a feeling they know their rights, and BAC will have to go down the expensive legal route. It also means that the building work on their new site has been delayed, and that means more expense. AND the BAC has been forced to get 24-hour security on their other building as a result. I feel really cross about this, but I don't think there is anything for it but to let the law take its course. These particular squatters obviously don't give a f*** about the community. Grrr indeed.
Is the new building next to the old one, corner of Railton and, er, Chaucer?
These particular squatters obviously don't give a f*** about the community. Grrr indeed.
I never realised their was a "PARTICULAR BRAND" of squatters that gave a shit about any community?
Correct me if I'm looking through my "I hate squatters black tinted glasses"
No, you're definitely wrong there CK1977. Many squatters are extremely ethical, usually moving into derelict buildings and doing them up.
Have a look at this. The squatters in Villa Road in the 1970s were instrumental in stopping the whole of Brixton being pulled down and replaced with concrete tower blocks 50 storeys high!
http://www.squat.freeserve.co.uk/story/ch12.htm
and on this site:
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/features/barrier1.html
past caring
11-10-2003, 00:59
And when these pricks do get their notice-they'll probably be looking round for a free advice centre to help them fight it. :rolleyes:
Originally posted by hatboy
Is the new building next to the old one, corner of Railton and, er, Chaucer?
Yes, it's on the corner of Railton and Shakespeare, I believe.
IntoStella
11-10-2003, 10:46
CK1977,
Those terrible squatters have included Olive Morris. Name ring a bell?
Olive Morris and Liz Turnbull became the first successful squatters of private property in Lambeth when they occupied a flat above a launderette in Railton Road. Successfully fighting off attempts at illegal eviction, they set an example for hundreds of homeless young people in Brixton and the flat remained squatted for many years. In June 1.973, Lambeth Council gave squatters occupying maisonettes in Herne Hill support by agreeing to negotiate the purchase of the flats which were owned by Grandiose Properties Ltd (part of the Gerson Berger group) without vacant possession. This encouraged other local squatters to occupy millions of pounds worth of the company's property throughout the borough. Loads of interesting stuff about historic Lambeth squatters here (http://www.squat.freeserve.co.uk/story/ch4.htm)
There's a big difference between this and valuable community resources being stolen by opportunistic little Italian (or otherwise) trustafarian brats calling themselves anarchists (since when did 'anarchist' mean 'spoiled, sociopathic little gobshite'?) who don't give a fuck about the community. :mad:
I was under the impression that squatters can be got out very quickly if there is someone intending to use the building (PIO is it called?)
IntoStella
11-10-2003, 10:53
Good point, Blagsta. Originally posted by past caring
And when these pricks do get their notice-they'll probably be looking round for a free advice centre to help them fight it. :rolleyes: LOL :D
Originally posted by Blagsta
I was under the impression that squatters can be got out very quickly if there is someone intending to use the building (PIO is it called?)
That's true, but you still have to go to court and get the bailiffs round. Then if the squatters refuse entry to the bailiffs, which they probably will, the police have to get involved. The point is that this is needless expense for the BAC. As I said previously, the building had been squatted before, but agreed to move out before the work was due to start.
Thanks for the link about Angell Town, Hatboy. It's fascinating.
William of Walworth
11-10-2003, 15:34
Originally posted by CK1977
I never realised their was a "PARTICULAR BRAND" of squatters that gave a shit about any community?
Correct me if I'm looking through my "I hate squatters black tinted glasses"
Those particular squatters sound like tossers, for the reasons given in some of the replies to your post above, CK1977.
Replies which you seem to have ignored. Until you respond to them, I'll assume you're a tosser as well for wanting to imagine that squatters like that are in any way representative ...
Bigot :mad:
Mm, I don't think CK1977 has seen the replies yet William. And it is possible to be naive about squatters without being a bigot. See what he says anyway.
:)
Fair rebuke hb. Sorry (to CK 1977 as well) that I was impatient :) :cool:
W of W
Most odd.
But what delicious irony! What to do though?
There might be something in Buzz sw9's idea.
Either that or we go round there mob-handed with our pick-forks and burning torches and turf these free-loading parasitical fuckers out and send 'em back where they came from, huh?
:)
It will be interesting to see how many of those flexing their muscles on this thread actually go there and do anything.
Not as interesting as seeing if those who are so indignant and outraged about this actually dig in their pockets to help the BAC out financially to get rid of these 'wrong sort' of squatters.
Mm, well that's not me because I'm not in a position to donate money to anything. I am going to talk to the people there tho, just to add to the numbers of people telling them they are wrong to take that building.
IntoStella
12-10-2003, 12:18
Originally posted by fanta
But what delicious irony! What to do though? ...
Either that or we go round there mob-handed with our pick-forks and burning torches and turf these free-loading parasitical fuckers out and send 'em back where they came from, huh? Just the sort of smug, facetious, inflammatory response we have come to expect from you, fanta. I see no ''delicious irony''.Originally posted by fanta
Not as interesting as seeing if those who are so indignant and outraged about this actually dig in their pockets to help the BAC out financially to get rid of these 'wrong sort' of squatters. Why should it be necessary for the community to pay to get the little cunts out? What are you talking about?
Ms T -- Who owns the building?
freethepeeps
12-10-2003, 12:58
Originally posted by fanta
Either that or we go round there mob-handed with our pick-forks and burning torches and turf these free-loading parasitical fuckers out and send 'em back where they came from, huh?
:)
That sounds ever so violent and dangerous fanta.
Aren't you always against violence on other threads?
Hmmm ?
Send some proper squatters round to kick the fuckers out then, then they can't complain about 'slaves to the system' and all that shite. I've squatted loads of commercial properties but wouldn't dream of moving into a place like the above.
As an ethical squatter, I find that behaviour really fucking bad.
The Blackstar Collective (ww.theblackstarcollective.co.uk) works very much with the local communities of it's squat and there is an unofficial squatters ettiquette (squat-iquette) which would describe the said behaviour negatively.
Dubversion
12-10-2003, 16:21
squatters are by no means a homogenous group, any more than anybody else is, and as people have already said most squatters in my experience tend to act responsibly and with some sense of community. without being xenophobic, there is a tendency amongst SOME the euro-squatters to give less of a fuck.
dunno if this is because they're not sticking around, or because it's not their community so they don't give a shit, but it does make things even harder for others squatting who try and act reasonably.
having said all that, as much as squatting the BAC is a ridiculous thing to do, squatting in Lambeth - in fact pretty much anywhere in London - is becoming pretty fucking impossible and extreme need can obviate social responsibility no matter how reasonable you may try and be...
Squatting in London doesn't seem easy, haven't had any long term squats anyway. The stories of squats going for years and years are getting more and more dated anyway.
I just went to have a look around up there. The advice centre is still functioning in temporary premises at the architects office opposite (77 Shakespeare Road). The original advice centre (a small shop really) is empty with a sign up directing people to number 77.
If it is the corner building that is the new premises then I guess that's where the squatters are. I didn't get a reply this time and the building looks un-renovated on the outside.
Really tho, it's been pointed out to me that all this is pissing in the wind until people know what BAC are doing themselves about it and/or whether they want others interfering.
IntoStella
12-10-2003, 19:01
Ms T, could you report back to us on what BAC would like people to do to help them?
I will ring my friend who volunteers there for an update on what's going on.
I think it is the one on the corner, by the way. A couple of people were banging on the door last night, and finally got let in. I considered going and having a word with them, but as it was quite late and I was on my own, I decided against it.
Re what Buzz SW9 said. I'm sure a lot of people in the local community would take a dim view about this situation. In fact, there was some concern that people might take matters into their own hands and "burn the f***ers out". I sincerely hope this is hyperbole, otherwise I will feel very guilty for raising the issue on these boards.
Intostella chirruped:
Just the sort of smug, facetious, inflammatory response we have come to expect from you, fanta. I see no ''delicious irony''.
Don't you? Well I do. Squatters squatting in an advice centre that helps squatters. It is ironic. I'm not saying it is a good thing, I know it is a bad thing but it does make me smile. I do so hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me if I don't humby apologise to you for it? Please?
Why should it be necessary for the community to pay to get the little cunts out? What are you talking about?
Well of course the community shouldn't have to pay to get the little ''cunts'' (charming!) out! No, the little ''cunts'' should have to pay the cost themselves! Yes, they should. and they should do it quickly before they lower the local house prices too like those 'wrong sort' of asylum sleekers do.
Get real for fuck sake - who else is going to pay for it? Just the BAC?
Freethepeeps said:
That sounds ever so violent and dangerous fanta.
Aren't you always against violence on other threads?
Hmmm ?
Get a dictionary and look up 'irony' freethepeeps - and then read the meaning out slowly and loudly to intostella too, thanks.
To be honest, if you're violent enough, you can remove any squatters. You can even break the law a bit - judges tend to have an awfully dim view of squatters.
Those particular squatters sound like tossers, for the reasons given in some of the replies to your post above, CK1977.
Replies which you seem to have ignored. Until you respond to them, I'll assume you're a tosser as well for wanting to imagine that squatters like that are in any way representative ...
Bigot
W of W, I was PC less for the remainder of the weekend after I posted and have just got back online now.
My original post albeit it a bit niggly wasn't so much an accusation about squatters...but merely a curious question to whether their were squatters "Who give a shit" about the community. I have never mixed with squatters and from an outside point of view see them as a "hinderance" to the community, what do they bring to the community that paying tenants don't? why should they get away with living in OK property when millions of people have to pay?
In regards to the replies from Hatboy, Into Stella and others...it was interesting an informative and at least I have a better understanding.
But please don't shoot me down just because I asked a "Challenging Question" .
The peace pipe is on it's way
CK1977 ;)
"Your post doesn't make it clear if you think this should be the first option?"
Violence - No one from here is going to go there and get violent (if there's even anyone reading this tough enough to do it). That is just talk.
It's pointless going on about this until BAC confirm what's going on and what they want.
CK1977 said:
"what do they bring to the community that paying tenants don't?"
Please read the Victory Villas link CK1977. You've partly these people to thank that Brixton is not now a concrete nightmare like the Elephant.
Squatting is a response to the housing crisis, not a cause of it. I'm pleased you've learned something here on this subject because it's not just trendy drop-outs or "lifestylers" who squat.
:)
William of Walworth
13-10-2003, 17:50
Hi CK 1977
Sorry if I was confrontational in my first of two posts on Saturday. I later apologised for being impatient, hatboy was right to rebuke me.
I'm glad this BAC situation seems to have been resolved, because squatters do seem to attract hostility, in this particular case justified criticism, but more often more widely and unfairly. They've had similar negative reactions for a long time, I think you've already had a look at the the links elsewhere in this thread to the Advisory Service for Squatters site which contains a lot of old history on squatting in London up to 1980.
Hatboy mentioned the Elephant area, horrible as it is to many (and I'm only leniant about it because I know it so well), it should be remembered that the E and C shopping centre opened in 1965, long before any properly organised squatters movement got itself together anyway. If it had been 15 or 20 years later, I'm sure there would have been a lot more resistance. The
Pullens Estate off the Walworth Road, very near the Elephant, was one of the biggest mass squats in the early/mid 1980s when SNOW (Squatters Network Of Walworth) was in its heyday of activity ...
Originally posted by Buzz sw9
Hello :)
I have just spoken with the BAC and asked if they need any assistance with their problem of squatters.
They said thank you to everyone who is concerned and that the problem has been sorted out and they (the BAC) say that it is a satisfactory outcome.
Just as me and hatboy were going to go around and nuke the place :mad:
If you ask me they have been reading this board and we scared them off:cool:
This is great news. I will try and find out exactly what the outcome was and let you all know. Thank you all for your concern. :)
I hope the solution also involves them having somewhere else to live.
DA for squatters as a first effort, no - but squatters get violently/illegally evicted quite a lot. It works even though it shouldn't because the law bullies squatters.
I'm seeing the friend who volunteers at the BAC today -- I'll get an update and report back later.
The outcome is that the squatters were evicted by police and bailiffs on October 13th, having been taken to court by BAC. Apparently, they opposed the action, and received legal representation in court -- paid for by some kind of charity!
Unfortunately, this has cost BAC around twenty grand, and they may have to lay off a member of staff as a result. So well done to those squatters for depriving the community of an important resource.:(
IntoStella
20-10-2003, 12:30
Oh fucking hell. :mad: :mad: :mad:
Perhaps it would be possible to organise some sort of benefit night for BAC, perhaps with the support of local squatters groups who are 100 per cent opposed to this kind of community wrekcing behaviour.
I would like to know which charity helped those nasty, antisocial opportunists. Boy would they get the sharp end of my keyboard. :mad:
Does BAC have charitable status?
Originally posted by IntoStella
I would like to know which charity helped those nasty, antisocial opportunists. Boy would they get the sharp end of my keyboard. :mad:
Does BAC have charitable status?
I think that is exactly what BAC is trying to discover. They want to contact the other charity to find out why the hell they supported the squatters' case.
A benefit is a great idea. I'll ask my friend about it. Cheers IS.
IntoStella
23-10-2003, 17:00
I went in there yesterday with my cat, Molly, on the way back from Brockwell vets because I wanted to make a donation towards their legal costs. But there's no reception, as far as I could see, and there were literally at least 100 people queueing - which shows how badly needed it is as a resource.
The lady who used to have the pet shop in Granville came up and asked me if I needed a vet. It was good to see her again. The good news is that she is looking into opening a stall in the open market in the new year, but the problem is competing with Tesco's, who have apparently expanded their pet lines. It's a great shame that lovely people like her get squeezed out by greedy coucil rent hikes on one side and cutthroat supermarkets on the other.
It was a most exciting morning for Molly as we popped in to see Uncle Hatboy as well. :D
Originally posted by IntoStella
It was a most exciting morning for Molly as we popped in to see Uncle Hatboy as well. :D
Was that some kind of consolation prize for having to have her glands squeezed at the vets? ;)
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