Defend your Rights
Housing / Tenants Rights ,Rights to Shelter/Trespass and Protest

The Government and their property developer friends are planning to criminalise trespass/squatting. There is a consultation process running until October 5th 2011
The proposed legislation will impact on all members of our society, empower unscrupulous landlords to use violence to evict people,burdening the inadequate housing system, justice system, police / charities. Criminalising the homeless/poor while in the middle of a housing/financial crisis.

The proposed new laws could affect:
- Tenants: accused by landlords of being squatters for being behind with rent.
- Students and workers occupations of Universities and workplaces.
- Our Rights to Protest and set up Peace and Climate camps
- Squatters, Gypsies and Travellers / The Homeless, poor and vulnerable
The proposed legislation could change trespass from a civil to a criminal offence, affecting all our ancient land rights to shelter in abandoned buildings.

The Government consultation :  http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/dealing-with-squatters.htm
The SQUASH campaign provides guidelines on: replying to the consultation,
www.squashcampaign.org/resources/respond-to-the-consultation/ ( A quick response guide)
www.squashcampaign.org , email  info@squashcampaign.org

SQUATTASTIC :Organise and mobilise in your area. There are monthly meetings in London www.squattastic.blogspot.com Phone 07757009150
.
Housing Solidarity : are building a radical housing movement as part of the
wider struggles against austerity by raising awareness of the housing crisis and housing benefit cuts.  http://housolidarity.wordpress.com , Twitter #housolidarity

Advisory Service for Squatters www.squatter.org.uk ,Phone 02032160099
email  advice@squatter.org.uk

What you can do:
1.Reply to the Government consultation using SQUASH guidelines.
2.Set up a Housing Support Group in your area.
3.Sign petitions on 38 Degrees  http://tinyurl.com/38degreessavesquatting
4.Take direct action www.squattershousingactiongroup.wordpress.com
email:  squattersactiongroup@gmail.com
5.Write to / visit your MP, local council / the media, to ask what they
are doing to defend our rights and campaign against this unjust proposal for a new law.
DONT PANIC !! Just DO Something
Organise mobilise, keep networking, take action, “Whatever they say squatting will stay”