In the early hours of Sun 24th Nov, over 100 police raided a party at the squatted A-spire Building in Leeds. The raid was undertaken without warning or warrant. To gain entry, police used a battering ram and employed pepper spray and CS gas. Fortunately no one was injured in the ensuing panic, thanks mainly to the safety procedures put in place by the organisers.

20 people were arrested for public order offences. 16 were released without charge and 4 charged with affray. A-spire was used as a social centre whilst providing a home for a dozen or so homeless. Open for 2 weeks A-spire offered women’s self defence, horticulture, theatre skills, puppet making workshops a children’s area, talks and film shows on environmental issues and human rights. The Aspire Collective had planed to leave the building on the 26th Nov, as agreed by the building owners. Read the full report.

Another day another raid: More than 30 riot cops raided a Worthing cafe yesterday, as part of an ongoing bullying of campaigners in the coastal town. See Porkbolter magazine for local info.

The fight against eviction, however in the past weeks, have been most dramatic over the 'Wagenplatz' Bambule in Hamburg. See full report on IMC-UK world page.