On 20th May two South-West activists were unjustly arrested and charged for squatting a derelict building in the town of Taunton, Somerset; with the intentions to promote squatting as an alternative lifestyle and provide a centre in which social groups and communities can use. This gives an update and links for more information.

Update! The defendants are to plead not guilty on the 12th May, and the case will then be adjourned to a later date. Support shown on the 12th May will be appreciated, and help to promote solidarity for any other cases in the near future. Thank you to everyone showing support so far, we will keep you updated. Always remember the greater cause, and not the ones preventing it.

Background: On 20/04/2011 two South-West activists were unjustly arrested and charged for squatting a derelict building in the town of Taunton, Somerset; with the intentions to promote squatting as an alternative lifestyle and provide a centre in which social groups and communities can use.

It has been on the agenda to get a Social Centre up and running in Taunton for a while now, being a potential base for Taunton activist collective groups, and even more importantly being open to those of which squatting is a necessity.

The police broke into the secured building using angle grinders, and even arrested one of the activists on the street, acting as a legal observer. The activists were charged with the intent to cause criminal damage, burglary and abstracting electricity. The lack of evidence to support these charges further incriminates the police for unnecessary use of force and intimidation to evict the squatters from their rightful home.

The case has an indirect impact on the South-West Anarcho-Punk scene, with a member of Anonymous Promotions coming under attack. This could be a potential threat on the non-profit organisation and even the increasing Anarcho-Punk movement itself. Full Article....

Taunton squate case | Soldarity with the Taunton Two blog (wordpress.com) | Facebook page | Court date event | Taunton Activist Collective (wordpress.com)