Deptford Anti-Cuts Social Centre resists eviction
MR | 13.04.2011 08:47 | Public sector cuts | Workers' Movements
SQUATTERS occupying a disused jobcentre in Deptford were celebrating a “victory” this morning after bailiffs failed to evict them from the property. One of the most dynamic campaigns around cuts and other issues has been the one in Lewisham, South London. Social Centre Plus, the occupied ex-dole office has been perhaps the best recent example of how to run a real community space. Yesterday they were able to resist the first attempt at eviction.
Baliffs fail to evict Deptford Jobcentre squatters as demonstrators prevent entry
3:12pm Tuesday 12th April 2011
By Kelly Smale
(News Shopper, South London)
The Jobcentre Plus building, in Deptford High Street, was closed down in November last year.
But around 50 people took over the centre on March 12 in opposition to government cuts and have since turned it into a Social Centre.
Activities on offer at the new Social Centre Plus have included film nights, family days and meetings.
But on March 30 owner of the site, Paul Jackson from Victory Land, was granted permission from Woolwich Crown Court to have the squatters forcefully removed.
Campaigners gathered outside the building before the bailiffs arrived More than 30 people demonstrated outside the building this morning (April 12) to prevent the bailiffs from entering while a number of people remained inside the building.
Squatter Jason Cortez said: “If the bailiffs do get in it will show the community that their interests always come second to property and money.”
Three bailiffs were escorted by police to the building but were met with chants of “bailiffs go home” and “hands off our social centre”.
After spending just five minutes at the site they left.
Bailiffs talk to the squatters but leave shortly afterwards Squatter Jason Cortez said: “It’s a victory. They came and then went away. We are very happy with the result.”
Mr Cortez, from Deptford, added: “The demonstration shows that we are not going to go away and disappear. We think that spaces like this should be maintained and kept open for the community.”
Squatters took over the building last month Campaigner Bruno Sanhueza said: “At the moment it’s a temporary victory because the bailiffs have legged it.
“This is what community action does when the community sticks together.”
Mr Sanhueza, from New Cross, added: “It’s good that people came out to support this.
“It’s important to keep this space open for people to come and talk about anything they want to air.”
The Jobcentre Plus building, in Deptford High Street, was closed down in November last year Jacob Stringer from New Cross added: “A lot of local services are being cut. What we are trying to do is bring people together to fight the cuts on a local and national level.”
A march is set to take place at 1pm from Lewisham Hospital to Lewisham town centre on May 21 in opposition to cuts to the NHS.
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8969037.print/
3:12pm Tuesday 12th April 2011
By Kelly Smale
(News Shopper, South London)
The Jobcentre Plus building, in Deptford High Street, was closed down in November last year.
But around 50 people took over the centre on March 12 in opposition to government cuts and have since turned it into a Social Centre.
Activities on offer at the new Social Centre Plus have included film nights, family days and meetings.
But on March 30 owner of the site, Paul Jackson from Victory Land, was granted permission from Woolwich Crown Court to have the squatters forcefully removed.
Campaigners gathered outside the building before the bailiffs arrived More than 30 people demonstrated outside the building this morning (April 12) to prevent the bailiffs from entering while a number of people remained inside the building.
Squatter Jason Cortez said: “If the bailiffs do get in it will show the community that their interests always come second to property and money.”
Three bailiffs were escorted by police to the building but were met with chants of “bailiffs go home” and “hands off our social centre”.
After spending just five minutes at the site they left.
Bailiffs talk to the squatters but leave shortly afterwards Squatter Jason Cortez said: “It’s a victory. They came and then went away. We are very happy with the result.”
Mr Cortez, from Deptford, added: “The demonstration shows that we are not going to go away and disappear. We think that spaces like this should be maintained and kept open for the community.”
Squatters took over the building last month Campaigner Bruno Sanhueza said: “At the moment it’s a temporary victory because the bailiffs have legged it.
“This is what community action does when the community sticks together.”
Mr Sanhueza, from New Cross, added: “It’s good that people came out to support this.
“It’s important to keep this space open for people to come and talk about anything they want to air.”
The Jobcentre Plus building, in Deptford High Street, was closed down in November last year Jacob Stringer from New Cross added: “A lot of local services are being cut. What we are trying to do is bring people together to fight the cuts on a local and national level.”
A march is set to take place at 1pm from Lewisham Hospital to Lewisham town centre on May 21 in opposition to cuts to the NHS.
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8969037.print/
MR
Homepage:
http://socialcentreplus.wordpress.com/