Vortex Eviction

riotact | 06.03.2007 10:11 | Free Spaces | Social Struggles | London

The ex-Vortex Social Centre in Stoke Newington was evicted this morning. Bailiffs arrived at 5.30, with several police vans in attendance and proceeded to break down the door.

Although most people were quickly removed from the building one valiant soul hid in the attic and it was over an hour later that the police and bailiffs completely occupied the premises.

Many local people got out of bed and braved the rain to offer support and help retrieve equipment. The bailiffs refused to allow anyone to re-enter the building to collect personal possessions until it was pointed out that the residents had a legal right to leave with their belongings.

After a brief stand off during which local hate figure and arch-bastard Richard Midda threatened to come down to the building to negotiate the bailiffs finally agreed to bring out most of the equipment remaining in the building. Several people howeverare still waiting for their clothes and other personal possessions.

No arrests were made during the eviction.

It seems that Midda bottled out of a chance to speak to the squatters and locals about his actions and his plans for the building.

So it seems that parasitic landlord Midda's long term plans for the Vortex remain unclear however in the short term it seems the building will be occupied by 24 hour security. A call has gone out to respect the security guard's peace and quiet, no banging on the door at 2am and absolutely no attempts to hound them out of Stoke Newington like the cowardly dogs they are.

Morale remains high and Stoke Newington may see another Social Centre soon, meanwhile the campaign to keep the ex-Vortex building for community use will continue.

pics at

http://johnnyvoid.blogspot.com/2007/03/ast-stand-at-ex-vortex.html

riotact
Homepage: http://johnnyvoid.blogspot.com

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The story is-------

06.03.2007 11:03

So in conclusion the same bunch of tossers who with their sound system pissed off everybody in Wetherspoons at the anarchist bookfair a year or so back got thrown out of a squat and didn't put up much of a fight. Furthermore the locals were glad to see them go.

Scamp

sorry to hear

06.03.2007 16:43

sorry to hear about the eviction guys.

the vortex was one of the better social centres that i have seen. friendly atmosphere, working with local residents, good to see all ages from babies, teenager to old codgers.

the f****er of a bailiff in charge of the evicition (

http://bp3.blogger.com/_fSJ7_jRoOag/Re069-Otb-I/AAAAAAAAAOE/0bvAtyU1DXI/s1600-h/PICT0227.JPG) was also there for the failed attempt at evicting 52 commercial road:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=chepzoKydHg (3m17s)..........

looking forward to the next social centre. will definitely be down to help out.

squat_the_world

The Vortex is dead, long live the Vortex!

06.03.2007 18:56

The Vortex was amazing. Although it was only operating as a social centre for about six weeks it made such a great impression on the neighbourhood, bringing hundreds of people through its doors, including loads who had never had any idea about what a social centre was or any familiarity with radical politics, and what I continually heard from all sorts of people, whether they were families, old age pensioners, teenagers or whatever - was that it was a brilliant idea and they were all horrified about plans for luxury flats/developments etc. It looked beautiful, as the guy said above it was welcming and genuinely open, it opened people to new ideas, it was always popular, it filled the air with politics and art and music and the sounds of people thinking, and acting as active agents not passive consumers, and working hard, for themselves and others around them, and showing that self organisation can really work better than top down authority. It provided a much needed space for communication, cooperation and solidarity, right there in the midst of the consumerist wonderland. Itt raised loads of money for important causes, and it was a whole load of fun. Sigh. And shame on midda for not havuing the guts or decency to talk to the community or the occupiers and address the issues we and the whole community raised by our presence. 'Arch-bastard' indeed. Where are his other properties? Bring on the next phase!

Down with boredom

Oh no- not again!

07.03.2007 02:06

Yet another valid, utilisable space gone- for some rich twat to increase his bulging wallet...
Cheers Mr Midda- especial thanks for stopping the mother and baby group from haing a meeting place- the few extra lines of coke you can now put up your nose might dull the guilt somewhat, but you are still, basically a blight on the face of urban existance.
You sad, sad man. May you grow old lonely. And may you also get painful uclerarion on your nether regions, a plague of sore boils, very bad piles, blinding headaches, nightmares, insomnia, and possibly a nasty skin disease.
You are a drain on society- all property developers take note- we all hate you- you are ruining the lives of the common people, forcing house prices through the roof- and for what?
I think we might shoot you fuckers before the politicians, come the revolution!
Well, shortly after Blair, anyway!

Mike