18th July 2009
Last night a large number of police with several vehicles, riot gear, and dogs evicted the newly opened social centre, on the pretext of fire safety. There were no arrests. The public meeting called for tonight will go ahead in a reduced format outside the bingo hall.
Last night the 20 occupants of the old bingo hall were evicted by around 50 police including tactical units with riot gear, under the pretext of fire regulations. Ironically, the police interrupted a meeting that had just secured 5 fire extinguishers and was discussing the opening up of the remaining fire exits in preparation for the planned public launch tomorrow.
The police initially said that they would not take action on the squatted building, as squatting is a civil matter between occupants and building owner. However, the squatters gained a higher profile through local media and outreach work, promoting anti-capitalism and social change, and organising a public meeting and music event that was anticipated to draw large numbers of people. Following this, the police threatened the occupiers over two days, and finally moved to protect property and the status quo, using any possible excuse.
The fire officer who accompanied the police said that the occupiers would have to immediately remove the metal grills covering fire doors to make the building safe. This was planned for the following morning, and the occupiers and fire warden agreed that this could happen immediately, however the police accompanying the fire officer made it clear that this would immediately lead to arrests for criminal damage. It was obvious from the huge number of police in attendance that the outcome was already set, and that the only result the police would tolerate was eviction. Given the recent reputation of police actions against political protesters, the occupiers left for the own safety rather than keep the doors secured.
A statement from the occupiers said:
“We expect that this building in the centre of our city will remain empty for an indefinite amount of time, as has the previous social centre site on Mill Road, owned by Tesco, and an increasing number of properties in the area. At the same time, artists, musicians, community groups and local people struggle to find spaces to meet, socialise and put on events.
We believe that local communities, rather than wealthy interests, should determine what the buildings and spaces in the local area are used for. We will be going ahead with the planned public meeting at 7.30 pm, in the street outside the bingo hall, where we will be discussing the repression we have faced, free spaces, and our plans for the future.”
cambridgefreespaces@listst.riseup.net
http://cambridgefreespaces.wordpress.com
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17.7.09
Cambridge BINGO! Social Centre
Update on what’s going on at the occupied Bingo Hall Social Centre, Hobson Street, Cambridge.
Cambridge Social Centre opens in old Gala Bingo Hall!
Members of the Cambridge Action Network have occupied the old Gala bingo hall on Hobson Street, behind Waterstones book shop. The centre is now open to the public to use for events such as films, music, workshops, art, discussions and meetings. Everyone is welcome (during reasonable waking hours!)
We’re currently working to clean the space up, make it nice, and get hold of furniture, and we’d love you to join us. We organise by consensus – no-one is in charge, and everyone involved has an equal say. This is everyone’s space – let’s make it brilliant!
We’ve done this because we believe that local communities should have control of local spaces, and be able to use them for whatever they see fit. Empty, unused buildings are a disgrace in a society where getting access to space is so difficult. A direct example of this is in Mill Road, where a lively social centre was closed by Tesco last year, leaving an empty building ever since.
There will be an official opening event on Saturday 18th July at 7.30 pm, where you are invited to come along, enjoy the new social centre, and see how you can use the space and get involved.
There will be a open mic event in the evening showcasing local acts. Bring your own refreshments. Come on down!
Want to put on events or get involved? Get in touch in person or:
phone: 01223 356630
web: www.cambridgefreespaces.wordpress.com
email: cambridgefreespaces@lists.riseup.net
UPCOMING EVENTS from 17th JULY 2009:
Daily (most days): 5.30pm POLITICAL DISCUSSION TIME – topics are decided daily by those present with some radical/social/political issues suggested in the diary already.
Daily (most days): 7:30pm PUBLIC MEETING – to discuss the space/use of the space/arising issues
Friday, 17th July – after the public meeting – OPEN JAMMING SESSION
Saturday, 18th July – after the public meeting – OPEN POETRY & ACCOUSTIC MUSIC/LIVE BANDS (donations at the door for climate camp)
AND MUCH MORE COMING SOON…