People - get out there and resist. Banners, saucepans, pots, children (well under 4, as children should be in school right?!) music and a dv camera connected up for a live feed are needed.

You know and I know that the bailiffs/council have no real social interest in the building - they just have a financial interest in it. Can you imagine how much cash the council could make out the building (prime location!)? And do you think that they will re-invest the cash for social causes, or another community creche? Don't think so.

This situation is happening in Liverpool at a great pace - check out:
www.liverpool.indymedia.org.uk

However, this is a Birmingham issue, and my solidarity will be sent to you from Chiang Mai to the Courts.

Resist - by any means necessary.

PRESS RELEASE - by The Nursery Social Centre

COUNCIL SEEKS TO EVICT SOCIAL CENTRE
Occupiers threatened with eviction - court case today

A group of people, including children, have re-opened a communuity
building in Selly Oak. Formerly a Council-run free nursery, the
building and its "secret garden" had been boarded up for over a year
and half.

The collective have decorated and re-furbished the space, and have a
donation-based cafe open daily. The garden, which had been created by
local parents using lottery funding, is being restored to a community
garden.

Several homeless people are involved in the collective and are using
the upper floors as living space.

The council are now seeking possession of the nursery so that they can
evict the occupants and ultimately demolish the building.

Jon Franks, member of the social centre collective, said:
"In these times, when councils are closing facilities due to
government cutbacks and market ideology, social centres make a
valuable contribution and fulfil an increasingly ignored need. They
work on the basis of donations and exist on the basis of need; not to
make a profit, but to serve society."

Layla, Big Issue Seller, member of the social centre collective, said:
"It's shameful that the Council are letting this building go to waste
when it could be such a valuable social space used by the community.
If the council are going to demolish it why don't they allow us to
stay and put it to good use in the meantime?"


NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The centre is at 1, Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29
7BL.

2. The court hearing takes place on Wednesday 15th September at 11.15
a.m. at Birmingham County Court, Civil Justice Centre, The Priory
Courts, 33 Bull Street, City Centre. Birmingham City Council is
applying for a possession order against "persons unknown", i.e. the
occupiers.

3. press contacts:

Jon Franks - 0793 160 6578

4. Website: www.stuffit.org/nursery

5.  Indymedia newswire articles and photos of the Nursery and its
'secret garden'