Squatting groups across the Netherlands are up in arms about newly proposed anti-squatting legislation. The 'ban on squatting' would make an end to the country's long and rich tradition of the creation of free spaces. This is the english version of the timeline of the actions today (Saturday 15th December).
Eviction in Amsterdam, October 2007
The Dutch government has been discussing a ban squatting since 2003, but have failed at various times. Read previous article on squat.net
Now proposed for the 3rd time, squatters across the country are taking action today to avert the proposals. Many squats have opened their doors to the public and give guided tours for those curious neighbours.
Listen to: open radio stream
Dutch Updates and photos: see indymedia.nl
English Updates:
17.05 Rotterdam - Activists of the squatters campaign group 'Woonstrijd' have occupied a property on the `s Gravendijkwal (no 81A). Besides the occupation, various banners were dropped from (former) squats in the city and activities and guided tours are planned at the Poortgebouw and at the squat on the Zwaerdekroonstraat 62a.
16.23 Deventer - The occupied 'Vort Dracula' opened its doors today and had over 100 people coming through to take part in guided tours. 6 squats were open to the public across the city. Various folk from the national press were present in the morning. Also see previous timeline entry at 14.02.
15.17 Dordrecht - The activities in Dordrecht are now finished. The doors of the newly occupied house on the Vrieseweg 80 were opened up to the public and the local Food Not Bombs group handed out free food and leaflets in the city centre.
15:00 Den Bosch - A new infoshop has been opened in an occupied shop front. The police are still intending on evicting it, and the squatters have started court proceedings to avert this. The rest of the day of action has been hailed as a success, with well attended guided tours around the city and good responses from those doing their christmas shopping.
14.13 Hilversum - An empty and derelict petrol station has been occupied since early this morning. Owned by the council, it has been left abandoned for over 8 years. Due to financial mis-planning and resistance from people in the area the demolishion of the petrol station has been severely delayed. The location of the new squat is of historical importance as it is the exact spot of the old train station on the Amsterdam-Laren line. The police have come by to check out the situation. Everything is calm now and free soup, coffee, tea and leaflets are being handed out.
14.02 Deventer - An alternative 'Dickens day' has been organised in response to the 'Dickens day' taking place in the city. A group of dressed up children with horses have arrived at the squatted Q8 terrain. Guided tours are taking place and there is a small exhibition on the squatting history of the city is on display.
12.25 Haarlem - Last night various banners were dropped from squats in Haarlem. The guided tours have started and the press is persent also.
11.57 Zwolle - At 9.30 this morning a group of people have occupied the water tower on the 'Turfmarkt'. The police came to check out the situation, but everything is calm. A banner was dropped saying: "stop the squatting-ban".
