News from the battles for free space in Copenhagen
MR | 23.06.2008 17:47 | Free Spaces | Repression | Social Struggles | World
Struggles around free space and squats continue abounds in Copenhagen, Denmark. Not only are there still weekly demos still for the campaign to have a new Youthhouse (Ungdomshuset) but a new extension to the famous squatted Christiania has been occupied with great success. It also looks like the council has given in to pressure from the squatters movement and agreed a new Youth House for the kids!!
69 WEEKS for UNGDOMSHUSET:
69 weeks. At least 1 demo every week. Thursday demo number 69 was obviously symbolic (It was the street number of the Youthhouse) and the demo crew had announced it was going to last 24 hours, going through most parts of Copenhagen with different sorts of activities planned throughout - four meals during the 24 hours, open air cinema, pirate party, blocking traffic, speeches, concerts and happenings.
Initially there was some sceptiscism from both activists and police, but it soon became apparent that people were going to stick it out all 24 hours. The demo moved around Copenhagen, stopping in different locations to give speeches or show political films. At many points there were disagreements with the police following the demo, but the demo always got its way in the end, often stopping for long stretches in main roads blocking traffic. After 21 hours - on Friday around 2 pm - the police had finally had enough of the demo acting autonomously and confined the demo to a square in Vesterbro. This resulted in a big public manifestation on the square with both bands and DJs coming from other parts of the city to play.
After 24 hrs the demo ended in a count down and a big greeting to the activists and the city which had both been upside down for 24 hrs through sun and rain, light and darkness.
PICTURES:
http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/180
A NEW YOUTH HOUSE COMES SLOWLY INTO BEING:
On Wed June 11th, the last city council meeting before summer, the politicians of the council voted in favor of the agreement on a new Ungdomshus in the buildings of Dortheavej 61. The votes were 38 pro and 13 against. The votes were given after 2 hours of discussion. Activists has promised militant activity in the streets again if this meeting was unable to come to a decision on a YES vote for a new place and an address.
The new house will be in what is now a local culture centre under the council. It will be in two connected buildings, one of which will be split in half. The culture centre will remain in the other half of the building and the city council has agreed to build a new add on to compensate for the space lost to the new Ungdomshus.
The first part of the take over (the smaller building comprising 600 m2) will happen on July 1st. After that the main building will be available for take over on January 1st next year.
There has been very positive contact between the left radical scene and the leaders of the culture centre, who are welcoming the new house.
PICTURE: http://english.indymedia.dk/system/photo/file/111/616161.jpg
CHRISTIANIA EXPANDING!!
The area on Refshalevej right next to Christiania that was squatted on the 31st of May is stil growing and the different houses and constructions are taken shape. Neither the City council or the state approves of the situation but can't figure out who has the authority to act on the squat since half the road is state property and the other half belongs to the city.
Neither the City council nor the state approves of the situation but can't figure out who has the authority to act on the squat since half the road is state property and the other half belongs to the city. Apparently 'the constructors' on Refshalevej for once are benefiting from the bureaucracy, since nothing will be done to clear the street until the two administrations agrees on who's doing what,
Meanwhile small houses are being built both on water and on the ground as well as roadblocks to slow down car traffic has been established. Around 28 different projects are currently under construction and 'the constructors' invited more people to join in!
PICTURES OF NEW SQUATTED REFSHALEEVEJ:
http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/175
http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/178
BUT EVICTION NOTICE NOW SERVED
The new area squatted near Christiania - Refshalevej - has been given notice. The eviction date is not finalised but will be up soon.
For some weeks activists have been building in the newly squatted ground just outside Christiania called Refshalevej. Now the builders have been given notice by the city council and the state who have joint ownership over the area. An eviction is said to be pending although no date has yet been officially given.
The activists have stated that they intend to resist the eviction non violently, and that they intend to resquat the area immideaitely following the eviction.
COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE STRUGGLE FOR UNGDOMSHUSET
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ungdomshuset
EVICTION AND RIOTS CHRONOLOGY + PICTURES/VIDEOS
http://www.emoware.org/ungdomshuset.asp
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/363973.html
COMPLETE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANIA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania
69 weeks. At least 1 demo every week. Thursday demo number 69 was obviously symbolic (It was the street number of the Youthhouse) and the demo crew had announced it was going to last 24 hours, going through most parts of Copenhagen with different sorts of activities planned throughout - four meals during the 24 hours, open air cinema, pirate party, blocking traffic, speeches, concerts and happenings.
Initially there was some sceptiscism from both activists and police, but it soon became apparent that people were going to stick it out all 24 hours. The demo moved around Copenhagen, stopping in different locations to give speeches or show political films. At many points there were disagreements with the police following the demo, but the demo always got its way in the end, often stopping for long stretches in main roads blocking traffic. After 21 hours - on Friday around 2 pm - the police had finally had enough of the demo acting autonomously and confined the demo to a square in Vesterbro. This resulted in a big public manifestation on the square with both bands and DJs coming from other parts of the city to play.
After 24 hrs the demo ended in a count down and a big greeting to the activists and the city which had both been upside down for 24 hrs through sun and rain, light and darkness.
PICTURES:
http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/180 A NEW YOUTH HOUSE COMES SLOWLY INTO BEING:
On Wed June 11th, the last city council meeting before summer, the politicians of the council voted in favor of the agreement on a new Ungdomshus in the buildings of Dortheavej 61. The votes were 38 pro and 13 against. The votes were given after 2 hours of discussion. Activists has promised militant activity in the streets again if this meeting was unable to come to a decision on a YES vote for a new place and an address.
The new house will be in what is now a local culture centre under the council. It will be in two connected buildings, one of which will be split in half. The culture centre will remain in the other half of the building and the city council has agreed to build a new add on to compensate for the space lost to the new Ungdomshus.
The first part of the take over (the smaller building comprising 600 m2) will happen on July 1st. After that the main building will be available for take over on January 1st next year.
There has been very positive contact between the left radical scene and the leaders of the culture centre, who are welcoming the new house.
PICTURE:
http://english.indymedia.dk/system/photo/file/111/616161.jpg 
CHRISTIANIA EXPANDING!!
The area on Refshalevej right next to Christiania that was squatted on the 31st of May is stil growing and the different houses and constructions are taken shape. Neither the City council or the state approves of the situation but can't figure out who has the authority to act on the squat since half the road is state property and the other half belongs to the city.
Neither the City council nor the state approves of the situation but can't figure out who has the authority to act on the squat since half the road is state property and the other half belongs to the city. Apparently 'the constructors' on Refshalevej for once are benefiting from the bureaucracy, since nothing will be done to clear the street until the two administrations agrees on who's doing what,
Meanwhile small houses are being built both on water and on the ground as well as roadblocks to slow down car traffic has been established. Around 28 different projects are currently under construction and 'the constructors' invited more people to join in!
PICTURES OF NEW SQUATTED REFSHALEEVEJ:
http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/175 http://english.indymedia.dk/publish/show/178 BUT EVICTION NOTICE NOW SERVED
The new area squatted near Christiania - Refshalevej - has been given notice. The eviction date is not finalised but will be up soon.
For some weeks activists have been building in the newly squatted ground just outside Christiania called Refshalevej. Now the builders have been given notice by the city council and the state who have joint ownership over the area. An eviction is said to be pending although no date has yet been officially given.
The activists have stated that they intend to resist the eviction non violently, and that they intend to resquat the area immideaitely following the eviction.
COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE STRUGGLE FOR UNGDOMSHUSET
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ungdomshuset EVICTION AND RIOTS CHRONOLOGY + PICTURES/VIDEOS
http://www.emoware.org/ungdomshuset.asp http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/363973.html COMPLETE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANIA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania
MR
Comments
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New Ungdomshuset to begin July 1st
26.06.2008 15:45
The first month for the house will be dedicated to building and discussing the house and its new functions.
The first part of the house being put into use is less than half the size of what the final solution will be (at the end of this year when the last building is taken over). So it will be important to decide what activities to postpone and which to start immediately in the new small house.
At some point after the first month a welcome home party will be announced, but the Monday meeting has stressed, that it is important that the house become well prepared before any public activities can start.
On the first day (July 1st) an open house will be held for some hours during the day where neighbours and well wishers can visit and see the house.
MR