Skip to content or view screen version

squat pretoriusstraat 28 in amsterdam to be evicted

nachtmerrie | 12.10.2008 11:31 | Free Spaces | World

Those activists who have passed through Amsterdam, will know that there is a thriving squatting scene there. One of the main squats in the east of the city, Pretoriusstraat 28, will be evicted by riot cops on tuesday 14th October. After a seven year battle against speculation and the sale of social housing, state and capital have finally got their way. For the time being!
On this day other Amsterdam squats will be evicted.

The building was squatted in february 2001. Since that time it has engaged in a relentless struggle against its various owners - always maffia-esque types, front men and white-collar speculators - and against the rampant conversion of social housing in Amsterdam into appartments for the wealthy.

Speculation capital, and the state that supports it, has finally got its way. Riot cops will evict the house (and several other squats) on tuesday 14th October. Everything - and everyone - who remains in the house, will be removed by the strong (militarised) arm of the state...

This is however not the end. The social space (Joe's Garage) in the ground floor will find a new location. Affordable housing in Amsterdam remains as scarce, if not scarcer, than ever. People have to live somewhere, and that is why squatting, the struggle against speculation, the struggle against the sale of social housing, will continue. Because there is no choice.

For background and updates see the pretoriusstraat 28 website (which has some English pages):

 http://squat.net/ps28

The website of the social centre, Joe's Garage, is in English:

 http://joesgarage.nl

Updates will be posted on Dutch indymedia, hopefully not only in Dutch:

 http://indymedia.nl

This is not the end, but a new beginning!

WONEN MOET!





nachtmerrie

Additions

Volunteers of Neighbourhood centre refuse to leave

13.10.2008 13:15

Amsterdam, October 13, 2008

A group of volunteers from the Amsterdam's squatted social centre Joe's Garage will not heed a court eviction order. Tomorrow morning they will await the arrival of the Police Mobile Unit [Riot Police].

The volunteers have opposed the plans of the owner and refuse to end the voluntary activities in the neighbourhood centre. Tonight for possibly the last time the volkskeuken [voku - people's kitchen] will take place. The squatting consultancy hours, the neighbourhood film evening and the free shop will move into another threatened the building.

Previous reports an information [Dutch and English]:-

 http://squat.net/ps28
 http://joesgarage.nl
 http://speculanten.nl/search/node/%22pretoriusstraat+28

trans.